do law enforcement single engine helicopters require floats when operating over water if the aircaft has an airworthiness certificate? say a md530 or bh407? 

Yes, they can operate under public use, but if in controlled airspace (or)if they have an airworthiness certificate do they fall under part 91 and require floats?

thanks for real answers. any reference would be great.

it depends on how far from land they go. Back mid-late 80's PHI had an S76A stationed at Pitin Bay Island. THe were aloud to remove floats for wt savings & they were operating for Cleveland Medical Center. 1st S76 Medevac  because of the oil glut & they were parked not making any revunue,

so there you go. lol

Does any other certificated single engine helicopter require floats while flying extended over water? 

And the plastic gas tank works as a great float!

prove me wrong

91.205 [B] [12] spells it out:

If the aircraft is operated for hire over water and beyond power-off gliding distance from shore, approved flotation gear readily available to each occupant and, unless the aircraft is operating under part 121 of this subchapter, at least one pyrotechnic signaling device. As used in this section, “shore” means that area of the land adjacent to the water which is above the high water mark and excludes land areas which are intermittently under water.

Obviously talking about civil aircraft with a Standard Category airworthiness certificate. Note the words, "for hire." Student instruction, surveys and photo flights and such.  If that is the case and you're beyond gliding distance, then each occupant must "have available" a flotation device. They don't have to wear it, just have it available. Privately-owned aircraft (like a PD agency) are not bound by 91.205, and operators of those aircraft can do whatever they want.

don't operate under 14 CFR 91 

91.205 [B] [12] spells it out:

If the aircraft is operated for hire over water and beyond power-off gliding distance from shore, approved flotation gear readily available to each occupant and, unless the aircraft is operating under part 121 of this subchapter, at least one pyrotechnic signaling device. As used in this section, “shore” means that area of the land adjacent to the water which is above the high water mark and excludes land areas which are intermittently under water.

As mentioned in another post, public use are not required top follow Part 135.

Now are they required to comply with part 91?

... they are public operators and don't ahve one.   So, they'd better not be for-hire!

They most certainly do.  

Public aircraft are not Civil aircraft!   Therefore, the regulation you cite is NOT APPLICABLE to public aircraft!

would also require floats.

They're DEFINITELY public use....

to have floatation devices, but the FAA highly recommends it!

As usual, a JH thread devolves into a bunch of misinformation from misinformed responders. What a surprise.

The original question was:

"do law enforcement single engine helicopters require floats when operating over water if the aircaft has an airworthiness certificate? say a md530 or bh407? 

Yes, they can operate under public use, but if in controlled airspace (or)if they have an airworthiness certificate do they fall under part 91 and require floats?"

And the answer is "No."  Aircraft emergency floats are not required at all under FAR Part 91, period. It doesn't matter if they're "public use" or not.  In fact, even if a PD, say, wasn't using the "public use" exemption, Part 91 does not require that anybody onboard a private aircraft have (or wear) a life vest/jacket. If you (or your company or organization) owns a single-engine helicopter, feel free to fly it as far out over the water as you like without having a single life vest/jacket on board.  However! Here's the catch: If the aircraft is operating "for hire" (you can argue over what that means), then the occupants have to have available flotation devices. They don't have to wear them - just have them available. Again, the rules say nothing about the aircraft having emergency floats.

§ 135.183 Performance requirements: Land aircraft operated over water.

No person may operate a land aircraft carrying passengers over water unless—

Understand the difference between PART 135 & 91.... In fact, understand the difference between all of the regulation, especially the ones that apply to you!

Apparently, they are required depending on the FAR PART you are operating with!

do law enforcement single engine helicopters require floats when operating over water if the aircaft has an airworthiness certificate? say a md530 or bh407? 

Yes, they can operate under public use, but if in controlled airspace (or)if they have an airworthiness certificate do they fall under part 91 and require floats?

thanks for real answers. any reference would be great.

Reading is FUNdamental. 

You're welcome.

to have floats on their aircraft, or PFDs for their passengers, or an airworthiness certificate for their aircraft, or licenses for their pilots, or medical certificates either.....

The highlighted statment is the question posed by the OP, not a correct statment of fact....  Nice try -nice try.... 

Life jackets, make them accessible, brief all concerned prior to flight, and stick on the floats.  Not necessarily only a legal issue, more an ethical one.  Too much weight?  Upgrade the helicopter type.

What PD agency is extended over water so much that they would need floats?