International Aero Inc., has invested in a new state of the art fire test facility. Our long standing goal of improved airline cabin safety has lead to the establishment of the IAI  Fire Suppression Laboratory.  Directed by John Brooks, the laboratory is designed to do all of the current and proposed FAA mandated flammability certification test. In addition to the current requirements IAI is involved with several international aviation safety committees, determining the future of airline safety.
    International Aero Inc. conducts research programs to improve fire safety in commercial transport aircraft. The research is comprised of three separate but complimentary, programs: Advanced Fire Fighting Agents, Fire Resistant Materials and Fire Detection Methods. These are long range programs to develop the enabling technology for ultra-fire resistant aircraft. Development of interior materials that can be applied in the after market to the existing worldwide airline fleet. Detection and mitigation of electrical wiring defects as an ignition source in aged aircraft is one such company focus. Novel detection methods and power distribution research in on going in the laboratory.

Thanks to Jim Clyne of the Orcon Corp. for the above test photo.
The below shots were taken during the first of the FAA Fuselage Burnthrough, round robin test of thermal acoustic insulation blanket systems. This important test series will make airliner cabins more survivable in post crash fires. The materials tested will lead to more fire resistant and lighter weight insulation systems.

International Aero Inc. is a proud sponsor of this critical international safety program.

    The new facility incorporates a 4 x 4 meter square exhaust hood to support both small and  medium scale live fire test. The latest National instruments LabView data acquisition software, and SCXI Signal conditioning system.  Ten video channels with formats including Hi-8, SVHS, and VHS. Digital still photo and video capture allow for better documentation of all test. We can now port up to live 8 cameras to the internet, DER/DAR witness fire test can be transmitted live to your facility. For a small set up and license fee you can now watch your testing live from the comfort of your office PC or project it in your board room.  Additionally the scale of testing, depending on the test objectives, can be varied from a realistic, full-scale 30 foot long narrow body fuselage to milligram samples of advanced polymers. The behavior of aircraft materials and the effectiveness of fire suppression agents are analyzed based on computer measurements and digital video test coverage. The facility also contains tests for aged aircraft wiring arc propagation and arc fault mitigation including over 75 kW of 400Hz power sources.

Established to full comply with existing FAR 25.853 as well as the Fire Test handbook. We are also involved as new proposed rules (NPRM) are being developed.

Capabilities and services include: FAR 25.853

• Vertical burn
• Horizontal burn
• 45 deg burn
• Passenger seat coverings and fireblocking
• *Qualmark OVS-1 HALT/HASS Vibration Chamber (-100 to +200C  0 to 90 G's)
• High Altitude Environmental Chamber (-100 to +150C  +60,000 ft)
• New Fuselage Burn through (in support of the Thermal Acoustic Insulation Blanket replacement program)
  * HALTS/HASS chamber on Loan to the ISO aerosol standards committee, Service is not available at this time.

The IAI  fire / burn facility is available to test or evaluate your products. Round Robin V is complete. Schedule your Live Fire Test now.  Suppression agent screening for Bell Textron is underway and the lab is now fully booked.  Some dates in  2003 are available. Scaled and development test slots are now available. Weekends available on a AOG or critical basis only.   Click here to Request lab time

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Research and Development testing

• Halon alternative replacement agent program
  • Cargo Bay fire suppression systems
  • Hand held fire extinguisher development
  • Engine Halon Replacement
• Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) for aerospace with specific Arc Event Identification and precise aircraft  location. ( the Where and Why of a popped AFCI breaker ) This is now called the Phase II AFPD (intelligent aircraft circuit breaker) and will be incorporated in the new SAE specification for circuit protection devices.
• Mitigation of wildland fires. The urban interface and rural residential fires are one research area that the laboratory is working on. We are developing systems for the Home owner, Rancher, Farmer, and Police to stem the destruction of wild fires. This is a non aviation program but it is hoped to improve life safety for everyone. Derivatives of this include new non-phosphate based air dropped retardant and Class A foams. USFS approvals and Class A listing to USFS5100-307 are in. This fire season you can expect to see white not red air drops.
• Automatic Real-time Cable Monitoring Analysis System (ARCMAS) Due to issues with our core business International Aero Inc. has discontinued our relationship with Phoenix Aircraft and Technology on ARCMAS. The technology will prove to be an aerospace safety improvement equal to GPS in the near future. ATA Spec 117: Wiring Maintenance Practices/Guidelines along with  The new ATA 92 maintenance code assigned to wiring systems. ARCMAS will allow the user ot monitor aged wiring systems in each aircraft by tail number. We regret our decision to withdraw from this important program. ARCMAS will become a utility in the industry, providing greater levels of passenger safely in the future.

• Portable Cable Diagnostic Unit (PCDU) . A laptop size derivative of the ARCMAS Technology, designed to locate and record defects in aged wiring systems. Wiring fault identification and exact location logging to 1 centimeter. Non intrusive airliner wiring inspections can be done on overnights, with wire maps sent to engineering for analysis via the internet. Due to issues with our core business, Cabins Interiors,  International Aero Inc.  has discontinued our relationship with Phoenix Aircraft and Technology on PCDU. The recent events in the industry have forced IAI to curtail our business relationship and all work on this important technology. Please direct all inquires to:

   

  Glenn Lacey Milton Suite, Fairoaks Airport, Chobham, Woking, Surrey, GU24 8HX, England Phone:      +44 (0)1276 48804 Fax:            +44 (0)1276 859941 e-mail ql16@dial.pipex.com

  Vince Press 109 Meherrin Terr. SW Leesburg, VA   20175 Phone:  +1703-443-2843 Mobile: +1703-731-3827 E-mail  vpress@adelphia.net

• Aircraft wire service life determination and non intrusive wire inspection methods
• Mitigation methods to counteract the aged wiring its components and systems
• Automatic Fire Detection and Monitoring System (AFDAMS). Novel method of detecting fires in non accessible areas of the aircraft (hidden areas) (read the CAA report on Hidden Fire). Real-time monitoring of fire location, flame spread with temperature data to the flight crew. Flight testing is complete look here for the test report.
• Water mist suppression and control of airline cabin fires
• We were correct water and Dual fluid water mist is better that Halon, read the reports from the FAA server
• Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) alternative for the airport Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Units  (the Alternative testing has started {01/03} at the Naval Research Laboratory)
• Non petroleum based, biodegradable, aircraft  turbine engine gas path cleaner (Solar Turbines approval compete) Mil spec testing continue.
• Heat resistant and fire proof coatings and additives.
• Bifurcated Power Distribution and Arc Detection  for Unmanned Air Combat Vehicles (UCAV's). The only method capable of DC and three phase arc detection without false trips.
• Nano-polymers and flameproof fiber coatings

Testing Services for certification, developmental testing, prototype of new materials or processes are available. Contact marketing at International Aero Inc. for availability and scheduling.

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