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I have seen in many helicopters pop-out floats installed.

Are they the optional, or do they come pre-installed with every helicopter?

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Pop out floats can be installed easily on any helicopter with Tubular landing skid type landing gear. Its essentially an auto-inflatable tube attached to the landing gear. Have a look at this:

enter image description here

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    $\begingroup$ How do they get inflated when in contact with water? Do pilot have an option for this? $\endgroup$
    – NitinG
    Jun 10, 2015 at 15:57
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    $\begingroup$ Yes. For obvious reasons, or else they'd get inflated on a land touchdown as well $\endgroup$
    – Victor Juliet
    Jun 10, 2015 at 16:40
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    $\begingroup$ @NitinG: Might be either, depends on type. (Obviously sensor that detects being immersed in water won't trigger on land) $\endgroup$
    – Jan Hudec
    Jun 11, 2015 at 8:31
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    $\begingroup$ in the copter I've flown with pop-out floats (R44), there is a nitrogen bottle under the left seat, with a cable-operated valve that goes to a collective-mounted handle that can be operated without taking your hand off the collective. the handle has a safety on it, which is disabled "feet wet" and enabled "feet dry". here's a photo: helicopter-redeye.com/images/F%20View%20from%20above.jpg $\endgroup$
    – rbp
    Jun 11, 2015 at 14:09
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    $\begingroup$ downvoted b/c popout floats CANNOT be installed on any copter. they can only go on copters for which an STC has been developed $\endgroup$
    – rbp
    Jun 11, 2015 at 14:11

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