Halon Phase out.

Click here for the original Aritcle: http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2014-11-20/halon-phaseout-proposed-easa

Halon Phaseout Proposed by EASA

by Gordon Gilbert

 - November 20, 2014, 1:45 PM

The European Aviation Safety Agency proposed a phase-out schedule for the use of halon in fire extinguishers in the cabins and lavatories of future Part 25 business aircraft and airliners, as well as Part 29 rotorcraft. It claims that there are currently or soon will be two non-halon alternative fire-extinguishing agents available for these compartments.

However, for APU and engine compartments, the agency is taking a “do nothing” position until weight and other technical issues for alternative fire-extinguisher agents are solved. The objective of the proposal is to “progressively mitigate the environmental impact that halon has on the atmosphere and climate change,” EASA said.

The proposed schedule calls for the replacement of halon in lavatories on newly produced aircraft starting on Jan. 1, 2016, and in handheld extinguishers on newly built aircraft starting Jan. 1, 2019. End dates for the use of halon on current and new type-certified aircraft are already in effect under EU regulations. A second proposal will address smaller airplanes and some rotorcraft used in international operations.

25TH Anniversary for ARFF Working Group Conference

25th Annual ARFF Working Group Conference & Educational Symposium "A Texas Sized 25" September 29 - October 2, 2014 -- Moody Gardens Hotel - Galveston, TX "To Promote the Science & Improve the Methods of Aviation Fire Protection and Prevention"  Who Should Attend Airline Safety Personnel Airline Station Managers Airport Ops Personnel Aircraft Accident Investigators Pilots & Flight Attendants Aircraft Rescue Firefighters ARFF Chiefs & Training Officers FAA Regional ASCI's NTSB & Airline Go Team Members TOP 5 REASONS TO ATTEND 1.  Participate in the premier event for the aviation firefighting industry 2. Interact with ARFF regulating agencies 3. Hear from ARFF subject matter experts 4. Network with ARFF firefighters and industry experts from around the world. 5.  Have Some Fun!! Current Exhibitors A-Gas RemTec Akron Brass Allison Transmission Beacon OHSS DFW Airport Fire Training Research Ctr. FareTec, Inc. FireBlast Global Fire Research Corp. FleeetChek FLIR Systems Global ARFF Services GOLD SPONSOR Morrison Maierle No Foam Systems Oshkosh Corporation Performance Advantage Co. (PAC) Phos-Check PyroLance SBRETC Setcom Corporation Simulation FTS Systems Atlanta TEEX Unruh Ward Diesel Filter Waterous Company Wesco HMB ARFF Working Group | 817-409-1100 | info@arffwg.org | http://www.arffwg.org P.O. Box 1539 Grapevine, TX 76051 August 8, 2014 Greetings! We are now only 8 weeks away from the  ARFF Working Group's 25th Annual Conference and Educational Symposium,    REGISTER NOW Feature Topics Below is a list of the topics that are tentatively scheduled to be presented: Asiana Crash and Lessons Learned Case Studies on Recent Aircraft Incidents LAX & Massport Active Shooter Incident Review & Drills FAA Headquarters Updates Incident Rehab on the Scene -- Are We Doing Enough? The Psychology of Incident Command Airport Water Rescue Planning Australian ARFF's Organizational Structure -- Examine How ARFF is Meeting its Regulatory Obligation Mythbusters... ARFF Training:  What We Think We Know Assessing the Impact of Interactive Technology on Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Training Schedule of Events Vendor Rodeo -- Monday, Sept. 29th With the assistance of Texas A&M Engineering Extension and the University of Missouri's Mobile ARFF Fire Trainer (MAFT), attendees will have the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with the vendors as they demonstrate their products, services or vehicles in action.   Don't MissThis Exciting 1-Day Event. Host Hotel Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa & Convention Center The Moody Gardens Hotel will be the location of all educational sessions, meetings and exhibits.  Moody Gardens offers the finest in Galveston, Texas lodging accommodations on the island.  To make reservations call 888-388-8484 and ask for the the Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting rate ($149).  Reservations may also be made on-line by using the Group Code rescue. HOTEL ROOM BLOCK CUT-OFF DATE IS  FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 Ground Transportation The ARFF Working Group has selected Cool Tours as our official ground transportation supplier.  Transportation from both Houston airports will be available via Cool Tours.  Houston's Hobby airport is closer to Galveston Island and is recommended.  For airport transportation, please call Cool Tours at 409-539-5374 or e-mail steve@cooltoursgalveston.com.  Have your flight information available.  A rate for transportation will not be calculated until Cool Tours has an idea of how many pick-ups and returns will be required for both airports.  This is to get your the best possible rate.  It is important you contact Cool Tours with your flight information as soon as possible.  Once established, they will contact you with your rate for your roundtrip transportation. Avis Rent-A-Car - has partnered with the ARFF Working Group to provide rental cars at a discounted rate.  If you wish to reserve a car, call Avis at 800-331-1600.  Please mention AWD# D016562 when you call.  Reservations may also be made by using this link:  Avis Discount for:  25th Annual ARFF Group Quick Links Register On-Line Download the Brochure Exhibit with Us Visit Galveston Moody Gardens Hotel Sponsorship Opportunities GOLF OUTING Sunday, Sept. 28th Although there will be no "official" golf tournament, arrangements are being made to play golf prior to the start of conference. If you are interested in a fun-filled day of golf with your fellow firefighters, friends and vendors, please contact Alec Beard at alec.beard@gmail.com to sign-up for this event. Tee-Off is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. at the Moody Gardens Golf Course. Galveston At A Glance Moody Gardens Aquariam The Strand Palm Beach Flight Museum The Beach

Updated Green Team!!

Life Kit for Battery Fires on Aircrafts.

SpectrumFX Making the LIFE Kit Available to Airlines Worldwide to Fight Lithium Battery Fires in the Cabin of Commercial Aircrafts

Lithium battery fires aboard commercial airlines are a new and dangerous threat.

Tulsa, OK, October 02, 2013 --(PR.com)-- In the preceding 10 years, fire safety and fire potential aboard commercial aircrafts has changed and the challenges faced by the aviation industry to put these fires out while airborne have increased 10 fold.

Just a few years ago technology brought aboard commercial passenger airlines did not include: cell phones, lap top computers, DVD players, Readers or iPads. All of these everyday use devices can cause a new risk of fire and explosion in the passenger cabin and in cargo shipments. All of these devices and much more use the battery technology of Lithium and Lithium-ion batteries – these batteries pose a new threat aboard our commercial airlines.

Certified and aboard our commercial airlines to fight most contingencies of fires is an extinguishing product referred to as Halon, a commercially available agent that will extinguish a multitude of fires using last century technology and science. However the FAA also states; “…Halon 1301, the fire suppression agent found in Class C cargo holds, ‘is ineffective in controlling a lithium metal cell fire’ and lithium metal battery explosions can lead to 'rapid fire spread' in cargo compartments.”[1]

The range of Halon products now being used in the airline industry are no longer manufactured. By worldwide treaty Halon is being phased out because of its ozone depleting properties.[2]

A small Aviation Safety Company in Tulsa, OK, SpectrumFX, Inc., is taking new steps to offer groundbreaking safety measures to control this new risk of fire danger. SpectrumFX is now marketing its biodegradable agent in a product called the LIFE Kit. This Kit, to be carried on board, is the first known product that will assist the cabin crew in extinguishing a Laptop or other fire caused by Lithium-ion batteries aboard airlines worldwide.

For more information you may contact SpectrumFX at info@spectrumfx.net or call 918-392-9799 and you can visit their website at www.spectrumfx.net

[1] AVFLASH NEWS October 8, 2010

[2] http://www.epa.gov/ozone/intpol/

Read the full story here: http://www.pr.com/press-release/517853

Airbus Wins Greentec Award for Innovative Fuel Cell Project

Airbus Wins Greentec Award for Innovative Fuel Cell Project

02 SEP 2013

Airbus’ has been awarded with the GreenTec Award 2013 for its research activities to integrate fuel cell technology into commercial aircraft. The “Multifunctional Fuel Cell Integration” analyses the replacement of the auxiliary power unit (APU) and the ram air turbine (RAT) with a fuel cell.

Günter Butschek, Airbus Chief Operating Officer said: “Airbus has always been a driver in making aviation more environmentally friendly and invests around €2bn per year in research and development to improve our aircraft’s performance. We are on track to meet the aviation industry’s short-term environmental targets that include sustainable and carbon neutral growth from 2020. Fuel cells are one of the most promising step change technologies to make our aircraft even more efficient, cleaner and quieter. The recognition of our fuel cell project at the GreenTec Awards underlines the relevance of our activities. I thank our partners and congratulate the whole team on this great achievement.”

Airbus’ fuel cell research activities focus on ‘multifunctional fuel cell’ systems which not only supply the aircraft with electric power, but also make efficient use of the by-products in various aircraft systems. The electrical energy can be used both for conventional aircraft systems but also for main engine starting and emission-free autonomous ground operations at airports. In parallel, the inert nitrogen gas replaces common halon-based fire suppression systems for the cargo hold and may be used for inerting the fuel tanks. Finally, the water can be used for the water supply system of the aircraft. Another benefit is the significant reduction in overall aircraft weight – hence reducing fuel burn and emissions in flight – as well as reducing noise and emissions during ground operations at airports.

The GreenTec Awards are awarded each year for projects on eco-management and environmentally friendly technologies. The jury is composed of experts from various areas like engineering, economy and media and is supported by representatives from the economy, science, politics and media.

     

Source: Airbus.

- See more at: http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/news-events/news-archive/2013/september/airbus-wins-greentec-award-for-innovative-fuel-cell-project#sthash.bs0oXQRP.dpuf