What is required for single engine aircraft when flying beyond a glide range from a suitable landing location?

In the context of flying single-engine aircraft beyond a glide range from a suitable landing location, the requirement for life jackets is established primarily for safety reasons. When operating far from land or over water, being prepared for emergency situations is crucial. Life jackets provide essential flotation support in case of a water emergency, increasing the chance of survival if the aircraft were to land in water.

The rationale for needing life jackets specifically lies in the potential risks associated with flying over large bodies of water where immediate access to help may be limited, making the capability to stay afloat very important. Other items may also be important for different types of emergency scenarios, but life jackets are specifically mandated in many jurisdictions for flights over water beyond a certain distance from shore.

While emergency flares, life rafts, and fire extinguishers are beneficial for specific emergencies, they do not address the immediate need for survival in a water landing scenario as directly as life jackets do.