Inspiring collaborations is one of FireWare’s core values. The fact that this yields some amazing results is evident at Air Formation in Toulouse. We have realised a completely new simulator concept for (cabin) crew training in the aviation industry here, together with an enthusiastic team.
The simulator consists of three different parts: a cockpit, a cabin and a burner area. A central location has also been made available for the instructor. The glass wall around the instructor has given him a perfect view of the students. Participants who are not participating with the training exercise can discreetly view the training through the glass walls. This allows for communication during an incident to be realistically practiced within a number of different disciplines.
Air Formation made sure the FireWare design team was continuously provided with specific knowledge regarding the aviation industry. Combining this knowledge with FireWare’s experience and expertise created a unique design, within which students from various different disciplines can be confronted with some interesting dilemmas.
This simulator was designed to replace an existing fire simulator and needed to fit in the exact same place within the building. This proved to be an extra challenge, as the existing area consisted of a number of compartments which couldn’t be adjusted.
FireWare was also asked to supply a large part of the control instruments with the associated simulation components, in addition to the design element. This included 3 Vesta’s for the real fires, the security systems, a lithium-ion fire simulator, various smoke machines, audio and video systems and the integration with aviation components.
These are some of the possibilities this simulator can offer:
- The simulation of lithium-ion fires, complete with immersion
- The simulation of fires in equipment during a test flight
- The simulation of “hidden fires” (fires behind the cabin plating)
- Filling the cabin with thick smoke in approximately 30 seconds
- The simulation of various notifications in the cockpit
- The simulation of various flight conditions (thunder, storm, aborted take-off)
- Realistic communication options
- Extinguishing fires in seats
- Extinguishing fires in a “hat rack” or “overhead locker”
- Extinguishing fires in an on-board switch box
- The creation of time pressure
- The creation of various other stress factors
Air Formation has a strong network in the aviation industry and within its environment. This has allowed us to work together with local suppliers as much as possible. This includes, for example, the reuse of real aircraft parts from scrapped aircraft, but also the use of befriended metalworkers for the making of the burning elements and local construction workers for the refurbishment of the existing space. Dealer Securhit assisted FireWare with a great deal of local knowledge and the certification of the installation.
The great thing about this project was that everyone was completely open to learn from each other and to work together. This was one of the reasons why the project was completed within the budget and beyond all expectations. We can therefore now proudly look back on a fantastic realisation and design process.
Would you like to work on a simulation solution together with us too? Then please do feel free to contact us!
