Federal Aviation Regulations
14 CFR § 91.107 — Use of safety belts, shoulder harnesses, and
Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 annual edition. U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105).
The regulation, in full
Sec. 91.107 Use of safety belts, shoulder harnesses, and
child restraint systems.
(a) Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator--
(1) No pilot may take off a U.S.-registered civil aircraft (except a
free balloon that incorporates a basket or gondola, or an airship type
certificated before November 2, 1987) unless the pilot in command of
that aircraft ensures that each person on board is briefed on how to
fasten and unfasten that person's safety belt and, if installed,
shoulder harness.
(2) No pilot may cause to be moved on the surface, take off, or land
a U.S.-registered civil aircraft (except a free balloon that
incorporates a basket or gondola, or an airship type certificated before
November 2, 1987) unless the pilot in command of that aircraft ensures
that each person on board has been notified to fasten his or her safety
belt and, if installed, his or her shoulder harness.
(3) Except as provided in this paragraph, each person on board a
U.S.-registered civil aircraft (except a free balloon that incorporates
a basket or gondola or an airship type certificated before November 2,
1987) must occupy an approved seat or berth with a safety belt and, if
installed, shoulder harness, properly secured about him or her during
movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing. For seaplane and float
equipped rotorcraft operations during movement on the surface, the
person pushing off the seaplane or rotorcraft from the dock and the
person mooring the seaplane or rotorcraft at the dock are excepted from
the preceding seating and safety belt requirements. Notwithstanding the
preceding requirements of this paragraph, a person may:
(i) Be held by an adult, except as outlined in Sec. 91.108(j), who
is occupying an approved seat or berth, provided that the person being
held has not reached his or her second birthday and does not occupy or
use any restraining device;
(ii) Use the floor of the aircraft as a seat, provided that the
person is on board for the purpose of engaging in sport parachuting; or
(iii) Notwithstanding any other requirement of this chapter, occupy
an approved child restraint system furnished by the operator or one of
the persons described in paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) of this section
provided that:
(A) The child is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or attendant
designated by the child's parent or guardian to attend to the safety of
the child during the flight;
(B) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(B)(4) of this
action, the approved child restraint system bears one or more labels as
follows:
(1) Seats manufactured to U.S. standards between January 1, 1981,
and February 25, 1985, must bear the label: ``This child restraint
system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety
standards'';
(2) Seats manufactured to U.S. standards on or after February 26,
1985, must bear two labels:
(i) ``This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal
motor vehicle safety standards''; and
(ii) ``THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND
AIRCRAFT'' in red lettering;
(3) Seats that do not qualify under paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(B)(1) and
(a)(3)(iii)(B)(2) of this section must bear a label or markings showing:
(ii) That the seat was manufactured under the standards of the
United Nations;
(iii) That the seat or child restraint device furnished by the
operator was approved by the FAA through Type Certificate or
Supplemental Type Certificate; or
(iv) That the seat or child restraint device furnished by the
operator, or one of the persons described in paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) of
this section, was approved by the FAA in accordance with Sec. 21.8(d)
of this chapter or Technical Standard Order C-100b or a later version.
The child restraint device manufactured by AmSafe, Inc. (CARES, Part No.
4082) and approved by the FAA in accordance with Sec. 21.305(d) (2010
ed.) of this chapter may continue to bear a label or markings showing
FAA approval in accordance with Sec. 21.305(d) (2010 ed.) of this
chapter.
(4) Except as provided in Sec. 91.107(a)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(iii) and
Sec. 91.107(a)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(iv), booster-type child restraint systems
(as defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 (49 CFR
571.213)), vest- and harness-type child restraint systems, and lap held
child restraints are not approved for use in aircraft; and
(C) The operator complies with the following requirements:
(1) The restraint system must be properly secured to an approved
forward-facing seat or berth;
(2) The child must be properly secured in the restraint system and
must not exceed the specified weight limit for the restraint system; and
(3) The restraint system must bear the appropriate label(s).
(b) Unless otherwise stated, this section does not apply to
operations conducted under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter.
Paragraph (a)(3) of this section does not apply to persons subject to
Sec. 91.105.
[Docket 26142, 57 FR 42671, Sept. 15, 1992, as amended by Amdt. 91-250,
61 FR 28421, June 4, 1996; Amdt. 91-289, 70 FR 50906, Aug. 26, 2005;
Amdt. 91-292, 71 FR 40009, July 14, 2006; Amdt. 91-317, 75 FR 48857,
Aug. 12, 2010; Amdt. 91-332, 79 FR 28812, May 20, 2014; Docket FAA-2023-
2250, Amdt. 91-376, 89 FR 67849, Aug. 22, 2024]What this means for the knowledge test
Our own study notes for this section — reviewed through our AI instructional-review system, not by a certificated flight instructor. Not an authoritative source.
Before takeoff the pilot in command must ensure that each person on board has been briefed on how to fasten and unfasten their safety belt and, if installed, shoulder harness. Each person must occupy an approved seat or berth with the safety belt and, if installed, shoulder harness properly secured during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing. The pilot must notify passengers to fasten their safety belts and, if installed, shoulder harnesses before these phases.
14 CFR 91.107
Before takeoff the pilot in command must brief passengers on the use of safety belts and, if installed, shoulder harnesses, and must ensure each person is briefed on how to fasten and unfasten them. A thorough passenger briefing also covers seat position, doors and emergency exits, no smoking, and sterile-cockpit expectations during critical phases of flight.
14 CFR 91.107 / 91.519
Lessons that cover § 91.107
Practice questions on § 91.107 (2)
During which phases must each occupant keep their safety belt fastened?
Answer Surface movement, takeoff, and landing
Each person must occupy an approved seat with the safety belt fastened during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing, after being briefed on its use.
What must the pilot in command brief passengers on before takeoff?
Answer How to fasten and unfasten safety belts and, if installed, shoulder harnesses
Before takeoff the PIC must brief each passenger on how to fasten and unfasten safety belts and shoulder harnesses; a good briefing also covers exits, no smoking, and sterile-cockpit expectations.