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(The following was compiled from the original sources)

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Alaskan Survival Kit Regulations

Alaska state law (AS 02.35.110. Emergency Rations and Equipment) was modified a while back to reduce the equipment required to be carried. The current regulations require that no airman may make a flight inside the state with an aircraft unless emergency equipment is carried as follows:

1. The minimum equipment to be carried during summer months is as follows: (for all single engine and for multiengine aircraft licensed to carry 15 passengers or less)

(A) rations for each occupant sufficient to sustain life for one week;

(B) one axe or hatchet;

(C) one first aid kit;

(D) an assortment of tackle such as hooks, flies, lines, and sinkers;

(E) one knife;

(F) fire starter;

(G) one mosquito headnet for each occupant;

(H) two small signaling devices such as colored smoke bombs, railroad fuses, or Very pistol shells, in sealed metal containers;

2. In addition to the above, the following must be carried as minimum equipment from October 15 to April 1 of each year:

(A) one pair of snowshoes

(B) one sleeping bag

(C) one wool blanket for each occupant over four

As you can see, the Alaskan regulations are minimal and do not address much in the way of specifics or quality. The old regulations were similarly minimal, but required double the food, a gill net and a firearm and specified matches instead of a generic "firestarter." The old requirements were as follows:

1. The minimum equipment to be carried during summer months is as follows: (for all single engine and for multiengine aircraft licensed to carry 15 passengers or less)

a. food for each occupant sufficient to sustain life for two weeks

b. one axe or hatchet

c. one first aid kit

d. one pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle and ammunition for same

e. one small gill net and an assortment of tackle such as hooks, flies, lines, sinkers, etc.

f. one knife

g. two small boxes of matches

h. one mosquito headnet for each occupant

i. two small signalling devices such as colored smoke bombs, railroad fuses or very pistol shells, in sealed metal containers

2. In addition to the above, the following must be carried as minimum equipment from October 15 to April 1 of each year:

a. one pair of snowshoes

b. one sleeping bag

c. one wool blanket for each occupant over four

Canadian Survival Kit Regulations

Canada used to have pretty stringent regulations regarding required survival gear. Then they revised the regulations, leaving the contents virtually undefined and ambiguous, presenting unscrupulous operators with loopholes large enough to fly a 747 through. The current version of the regulation follows, with the former version, a fairly good guide for what may be considered acceptable with modification by some government field personnel, following the current regulations.

Survival Equipment - Flights over Land

602.61 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall operate an aircraft over land unless there is carried on board survival equipment, sufficient for the survival on the ground of each person on board, given the geographical area, the season of the year and anticipated seasonal climatic variations, that provides the means for

(a) starting a fire;

(b) providing shelter;

(c) providing or purifying water; and

(d) visually signalling distress.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of

(a) a balloon, a glider, a hang glider, a gyroplane or an ultra-light aeroplane;

(b) an aircraft that is operated within 25 nautical miles of the aerodrome of departure and that has the capability of radio communication with surface-based radio station for the duration of the flight;

(c) a multi-engined aircraft this is operated south of 66 30' north latitude

(i) in IFR flight within controlled airspace, or

(ii) along designated air routes;

(e) an aircraft that is operated in a geographical area where and at a time of year when the survival of the persons on board is not jeopardized.

If you plan to carry firearms in an aircraft, including as part of your survival equipment, you should be aware that hand guns and fully automatic weapons are not legal to be carried or worn in Canada. As for any long guns, when entering Canada you must register each firearm with Canadian Customs or face severe penalties if caught. On a related issue, the "flare gun" found in many life rafts and survival kits is not a "firearm," so do not refer to it as such when asked by Canadian Customs if you have any firearms on board. If the subject comes up, and only if it comes up, you should always refer to it as a "Pyrotechnic Signaling Device" as in "There is a 'pyrotechnic signaling device' in the life raft survival kit in accordance with Canadian, U.S. and international regulations." (This tip courtesy of National Business Aviation Association)

Old Canadian Regulations (no longer in force)

Emergency Equipment for Flights in Sparsely Settled Areas (most of the area north of 52 degrees North latitude is designated as "Sparsely Settled")

1. Food having a caloric value of at least 10,000 calories per person carried, not subject to deterioration by heat or cold and stored in a sealed waterproof container bearing a tag or label on which the operator of the aircraft or his representative has certified the amount and satisfactory condition of the food in the container following an inspection made not more than 6 months prior to the flight.
2. Cooking utensils.
3. Matches in a waterproof container.
4. A stove and a supply of fuel or a self-contained means of providing heat for cooking when operating north of the tree line.
5. A portable compass.
6. An axe of at least 2 1/2 pounds or 1 kilogram weight with a handle of not less than 28 inches or 70 centimeters in length. (typically referred to as a "Hudson Bay" axe)
7. A flexible saw blade or equivalent cutting tool.
8. Snare wire of at least 30 feet or 9 meters and instructions for its use.
9. Fishing equipment including still fishing bait and a gill net of not more than a 2 inch or 3 centimeter mesh.
10. Mosquito nets or netting and insect repellant sufficient to meet the needs of all persons carried when operating in an area where insects are likely to be hazardous.
11. Tents or engine and wing covers of a suitable design, coloured or having panels coloured in international orange or other high visibility colour, sufficient to accommodate all persons when operating north of the tree line.
12. Winter sleeping bags sufficient in quantity to accommodate all persons carried when operating in an area where the mean daily temperature is likely to be 7 degrees C (approx. 45 degrees F) or less.
13. Two pairs of snow shoes when operating in areas where the ground snow cover is likely to be 12 inches or 30 centimeters of more.
14. A signalling mirror.
15. At least 3 pyrotechnical distress signals.
16. A sharp jack-knife or hunting knife of good quality.
17. A suitable survival instruction manual.
18. Conspicuity panel.

The following are suggested as useful additional equipment:

1. Spare Axe Handle
2. Honing stone or file
3. Ice chisel
4. Snow knife or snow saw
5. Snow shovel
6. Flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries
7. Pack sack

Firearms are carried at the operator's discretion. However, if it is proposed to carry firearms in an aircraft as additional emergency equipment the operator should be aware that hand held pistols, revolvers, etc., known as small arms, and fully automatic weapons are not authorized to be carried or worn in Canada. (When entering Canada you must register each firearm with Canadian Customs.)

U.S. pilots contemplating flying to or in Alaska or Canada would do well to avail themselves of AOPA's "Flight Planning Guide" for Alaska and Canada and the assistance of the specialists in AOPA's Flight Operations Department (800-872-2672 or 301-695-2140).

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Revision: 08 September 24, 2003
 

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