Saftey: Life Jackets

Moderators: Kai, Rick, Lance Murray, Mr. Gadget

User avatar
Jean
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 741
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 7:28 am
First Name: Jean
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N446DC
Airports: EBLG
Has thanked: 30 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Saftey: Life Jackets

Post by Jean »

Hello,
We plan to buy life jackets for our DA 40.
I see prices ranging from 50 to 200 €.
Does any one have an advice on the best type for light aircraft use?
I like yhe slim models that can be worn over a tee shirt or o vest.
User avatar
Karl
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 318
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:58 am
First Name: Karl
Aircraft Type: DA40
Airports:
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 102 times

Re: Life Jackets

Post by Karl »

Hi Jean,

As with all things you get what you pay for so I would recommend the more expensive versions,
but they will all do much the same thing. It is the quality and reliability that will suffer on lower priced versions.

One thing to remember is to check if they are an auto inflate model. Some of them inflate on contact with water. You do NOT want this type, it is very dangerous in aircraft.

We use the slim type and they are very comfortable to wear.

I hope this helps.
User avatar
Kai
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 1355
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:14 pm
First Name: Kai
Aircraft Type: DA40F
Aircraft Registration: XXXX
Airports: VTCY
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 99 times

Re: Life Jackets

Post by Kai »

Jean,

Karl has basically said it all and I have to trust his expertise :D

Now, my only question would be: do you want them as real life savers or do you want to comply with some kind of regulation for flights over water? If it's only for the compliance, check on the cheapest versions you may find on aircraftspruce.

If you want a real life saver for over water legs, you will definitely need a raft and a PLB. In most European waters during most of the time of the year the life vest will only help you for a few minutes, but usually not long enough until somebody will get you out of the water. I have read somewhere that with light aircraft most people survive the crash, but die because they weren't well prepared for the few minutes after the impact.

And what does it help you to have life vest and a raft if it is difficult or impossible for SAR units to locate you? In a rough see, you will need a PLB. Also, for any crash landing on land this will help locating you even when the electronics of your plane are 2000 ft down under sea level. I even have my PLB on me when cycling or riding on motorbikes in offroad terrain.

A reasonable PLB will cost only 200-300$. I buy most of this stuff from aircraftspruce and have it shipped to an address in the US where they do the repackaging (if needed) and print out the customs declaration form, which you could do online. This step will save you $$ making the declarations short.. ;)
DA40F - N405FP/HS-KAI (sold)
User avatar
Jean
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 741
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 7:28 am
First Name: Jean
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N446DC
Airports: EBLG
Has thanked: 30 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: Life Jackets

Post by Jean »

Thank you for these advices.
We are looking for life saving devices so we will not try to spare much money on this. I guess we will buy good slim fit TSO'ed Life Jackets and probably a raft.
I did not think about PLB as we have an ELT in the plane, but in fact, it might not be very useful if the plane sinks. It seems that a mirror or water activated light would be useful too.
I found an interesting post (in french) on Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association here
http://www.cirruspilots.org/blogs/frenc ... urvie.aspx
And a reference for ditching survival
http://www.equipped.org/ditchtoc.htm

Jean
40.446, G1000, KAP 140, Hartzell Metal
User avatar
Karl
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 318
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:58 am
First Name: Karl
Aircraft Type: DA40
Airports:
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 102 times

Re: Life Jackets

Post by Karl »

Just as a slight thread drift, some of you may know that a DA 40 ditched off the coast of Malaysia a few months ago.

You may be interesting to know that the aircraft landed level and apart from losing the cowlings stayed afloat, with enough time for the crew to simply climb out and step off the wing. One crew member even had time to collect his headset and take it with him.
The aircraft sank relativly slowly nose first as can be see in one of the pics in the gallery.
User avatar
Kai
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 1355
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:14 pm
First Name: Kai
Aircraft Type: DA40F
Aircraft Registration: XXXX
Airports: VTCY
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 99 times

Re: Life Jackets

Post by Kai »

Karl wrote: One crew member even had time to collect his headset and take it with him.
The aircraft sank relatively slowly nose first as can be see in one of the pics in the gallery.
Really nice to know and thanks for the first hand information. I am quite comfortable with my DA40 over water thanks to reports like these.

Did you get to take the DA40 out of the water? Any other damages except for the cowlings? In the picture, was it still sinking or with the prop on the ground?

Image
DA40F - N405FP/HS-KAI (sold)
User avatar
Karl
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 318
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:58 am
First Name: Karl
Aircraft Type: DA40
Airports:
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 102 times

Re: Life Jackets

Post by Karl »

Kai wrote:
Karl wrote: Did you get to take the DA40 out of the water? Any other damages except for the cowlings? In the picture, was it still sinking or with the prop on the ground?

Image
Yes the aircraft was recovered after spending approx 8 hrs in the sea. The sea is quite shallow here and in the picture the prop and open canopy are resting on the sea floor.
User avatar
Tim
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 332
Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:29 am
First Name: Tim
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N395JP
Airports: KROA

Re: Life Jackets

Post by Tim »

Were they wearing lifejackets?
That's a great picture, given no injuries to the crew.
Private pilot & IR
N395JP
DA40.410
User avatar
Karl
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 318
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:58 am
First Name: Karl
Aircraft Type: DA40
Airports:
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 102 times

Re: Life Jackets

Post by Karl »

Yes all crew wear life jackets. Every flight here is over the sea.
User avatar
Kai
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 1355
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:14 pm
First Name: Kai
Aircraft Type: DA40F
Aircraft Registration: XXXX
Airports: VTCY
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 99 times

Re: Life Jackets

Post by Kai »

Karl wrote:Yes all crew wear life jackets. Every flight here is over the sea.
Sorry for the topic drift: but does your flight school also rent out Diamonds?
DA40F - N405FP/HS-KAI (sold)
Post Reply