This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) provides minimum performance and design standards for a handheld@ high-intensity@ flashing Aviation Visual Distress Signal (AVDS) based on light-emitting-diode (LED) technology operating simultaneously in visible (white) and near infrared (NIR) spectra designed to facilitate location and rescue of aviation accident/ditching survivors in open sea conditions. Purpose The purpose of this document is to specify the performance requirements for an LED-based distress signal that can be used in lieu of pyrotechnic flares in transport category aircraft survival kits@ meeting the following objectives: (a) provide an equivalent level of safety to pyrotechnic flares with respect to utility as an aid to search and rescue@ and (b) eliminate the serious and potentially life-threatening hazards to life-saving equipment and ditching survivors posed by the use of pyrotechnics by untrained personnel in inflatable life rafts or slide afts.