ACO-2 Aircraft Familiarization

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting

6th Edition

Chapter 3 — Aircraft Familiarization

Identify types of aircraft.

Learning Objective 1

3–2

Aircraft are usually categorized by their intended purpose.

3–3

Narrow body commercial transport aircraft are equipped with two or three jet engines.

3–4

Wide body commercial transport aircraft are equipped with two to four jet engines.

3–5

Courtesy of Jam

es Nilo

New large aircraft pose numerous rescue concerns for ARFF personnel.

3–6

Courtesy of

Edw

in A. Jones

Commuter or regional aircraft interiors can present difficult emergency work conditions.

3–7

Courtesy of Jam

es Nilo

Cargo aircraft may be greatly modified and may contain dangerous goods.

3–8

Courtesy of E

dwin A

. Jones

3–9

Cargo compartments have different requirements.

Access to cargo compartments varies.

3–10

General aviation craft tend to have single or twin internal-combustion engines.

3–11

NOTE

ARFF personnel should be aware that light piston twins have a heating system that burns the AVGAS in the nose compartment to provide cabin heat. These heating systems have a history of fire problems which have sometimes been fatal.

3–12

Business and corporate aircraft can vary greatly.

3–13

Courtesy of Jam

es Nilo

Military aircraft vary widely, may be found at civilian airports, and may have dangerous contents.

3–14

Fighter and attack aircraft may carry substantial ammunition.

3–15

Photos courtesy of Jam

es Nilo

Bomber aircraft may carry a large fuel load and a significant quantity of high explosives.

3–16

Photo by Jorge L. M

endez (US

N), D

efense V

isual Information C

enter (DV

IC)

Military cargo aircraft may carry a wide variety of cargo, including munitions.

3–17

Photo by K

enn Mann, C

IV (U

SA

F), Defense

Visual Inform

ation Center (D

VIC

)

Tanker aircraft may carry over 50,000 gallons (200 000 L) of fuel.

3–18

Photo by M

Sgt Lance C

heung (US

AF),

Defense V

isual Information C

enter (DV

IC)

Utility and special purpose aircraft have designator letters that vary based on their aircraft mission.

3–19

Photo by M

Sgt M

ark Bucher (U

SA

F), D

efense Visual Inform

ation Center (D

VIC

)

Military helicopters may carry ammunitions, weapons, and large amounts of fuel.

3–20

Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones

Rotorcraft generate lift by one or more rotor blades.

3–21

Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones

Courtesy of Groen Brothers Aviation Global, Inc.

Courtesy of Carter Aviation Technologies, LLC.

Fire service aircraft are used for transport, rescue, and to fight fires.

3–22

Courtesy of 10 Tanker Air Carrier

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may pose a hazardous materials risk.

3–23

Photo by SrA Larry E. Reid Jr. (USAF), Defense Visual Information Center (DVIC)

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the major categories of aircraft?

3–24

Describe the major components of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

3–25

Learning Objective 2

Fixed wing aircraft include the fuselage, wings, and tail section.

3–26

WARNING

Personnel should ensure that aircraft is properly grounded before coming in contact with the aircraft in order to prevent being shocked.

3–27

Rotary wing aircraft include the fuselage, main rotor(s), tail rotor, and landing gear.

3–28

REVIEW QUESTION

How do fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft components differ?

3–29

Identify types of and hazards associated with various aircraft engines.

Learning Objective 3

3–30

Internal-combustion reciprocating engines use pistons to turn propellers.

3–31

Courtesy of D

oddy Photography

Cou

rtesy

of J

eff R

eich

man

n, R

eich

man

n S

afet

y S

ervi

ces

Internal-combustion reciprocating engines use aviation gasoline (AVGAS).

3–32

WARNING

Disconnecting the battery does not prevent the magneto from functioning, so personnel must exercise caution when working in the area of the propeller. A safety zone should be established around the engine, keeping all personnel clear of the engine.

3–33

Gas turbine engines mix jet fuel and air to generate engine power.

3–34

Additional components may be added to the basic gas turbine engine.

3–35

Courtesy of E

dwin A

. Jones

Courtesy of E

dwin A

. Jones

Photo by M

CS

N D

avid A.

Brandenburg (U

SN

), D

efense Visual Inform

ation C

enter (DV

IC)

REVIEW QUESTION

What types of engines are used to power aircraft?

3–36

Explain aircraft construction, structural materials, and hazards as

they relate to ARFF training operations.

Learning Objective 4

3–37

The properties of aircraft components and their manner of assembly may affect fire fighting operations.

3–38

Rivet or fastener lines on the outer skin can help identify areas for forcible entry.

3–39

The properties of construction materials affect fire fighting operations.

3–40

Composite and advanced aerospace materials are increasingly used in aircraft construction.

3–41

Plastic and wood are two additional materials used in aircraft construction.

3–42

REVIEW QUESTION

What materials are commonly used in the construction of aircraft?

3–43

Describe potential aircraft system hazards that firefighters may encounter.

Learning Objective 5

3–44

The fuel system presents the greatest hazard in an aircraft accident.

3–45

Fuel tanks may be separate units or an integral part of the aircraft.

3–46

Fuel tanks may be filled via gravity or pressure refueling.

3–47

Fuel is distributed from an aircraft’s tank to its engine through fuel lines, control valves, and pumps.

3–48

NOTE

Military aircraft fuel tanks are normally full in the winter months then the aircrafts are stored in heated hangars. The expanding fuel leaks onto the hangar floor and causes additional hazards to ARFF personnel.

3–49

ARFF personnel must be aware of hazards associated with aircraft fuel.

3–50

ARFF personnel must be familiar with hydraulic fuel types, storage locations, and hazards.

3–51

WARNING

When dealing with aircraft emergencies around operating aircraft, keep personnel aware and clear of areas containing hydraulically and pneumatically operated parts. Personnel can be easily injured or have body parts severed if caught or pinched between moving surfaces.

3–52

CAUTION

Personnel also must guard against hydraulic fluid contacting skin, eyes, and protective clothing because this type of fluid can cause severe skin and eye irritation as well as erode protective clothing surfaces.

3–53

A wheel assembly consists of rims, brakes, and tires.

3–54

Fusible plugs

Courtesy of Jam

es Nilo

WARNING

When dealing with a landing gear emergency such as a hot brake or gear fire, always approach the landing gear either forward or aft at a 45 degree angle of the gear assembly. If heated beyond limits, landing gear assemblies and tires may explode, sending debris and pieces out from the sides of the assembly. These pieces can travel with enough velocity to puncture aircraft wing fuel cells, and could be fatal to nearby personnel.

3–55

Aircraft rely on electrical systems to supply current for lights, electronic equipment, and other systems.

3–56

Aircraft batteries operate like automobile batteries, but present other unique challenges.

3–57

Courtesy of E

dwin A

. Jones

CAUTION

The electrolyte used in nickel-cadmium batteries is a strong alkaline solution of potassium hydroxide, which is caustic and corrosive. The electrolyte used in lead-acid batteries is sulfuric acid and distilled water. Serious burns will result if either electrolyte contacts the skin. Check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific hazards associated with each type of battery.

3–58

CAUTION

Some aircraft batteries produce highly flammable hydrogen gas during charging. This gas can present a serious fire and explosion hazards to ARFF personnel.

3–59

An auxiliary power unit (APU) is a small jet engine with a generator attached.

3–60

An engine power unit (EPU) is a quick and reliable means of providing power to the aircraft.

3–61

WARNING

Wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times when dealing with hydrazine emergencies as it may be absorbed through the skin. Even short exposures may have serious effects on the nervous and respiratory systems.

3–62

Ground power units (GPUs) are fueled by diesel or gas.

3–63

Courtesy of E

dwin A

. Jones

WARNING

Disconnecting the GPU from the aircraft prior to the power being shut off can cause electrocution or arcing. Arcing could provide an ignition source for flammable vapors that have collected in the area.

3–64

Aircraft lighting designates the aircraft’s location.

3–65

Oxygen systems provide life support in aircraft intended for high-altitude operations.

3–66

Courtesy of E

dwin A

. Jones

WARNING

High concentrations of compressed gaseous oxygen will accelerate combustion.

3–67

Liquid oxygen (LOX) may also be found on different types of aircraft.

3–68

WARNING

Do not disturb asphalt onto which LOX has been spilled because it is explosively unstable and extremely shock-sensitive. Until LOX has dissipated, merely walking on the spill or dropping something onto it may cause a violent reaction.

3–69

Liquid oxygen (LOX) and oxygen systems pose severe hazards for ARFF personnel.

3–70

Radar systems can present both ignition sources and health hazards.

3–71

Fire protection systems may be found on many modern aircraft.

3–72

Passenger/crew air bags may present a variety of hazards.

3–73

For most aircraft, shutoff procedures involve activating T- or L-shaped engine and APU fire shutoff handles.

3–74

Courtesy of Jam

se Nilo

Aircraft are generally designed to be evacuated in 90 seconds or less.

3–75

Cabin doors are referenced by a number and a left or right designator.

3–76

Operating procedures can vary widely on doors found on the same aircraft.

3–77

All photos courtesy of Jam

es Nilo

Aircraft slides can expedite evacuation from an aircraft.

3–78

Hatches are another means of egress.

3–79

WARNING

Over-wing exit doors may open with considerable force and may injure ARFF personnel.

3–80

Cabin windows are also a potential means of egress.

3–81

Other means of egress may be available to assist in evacuation.

3–82

Courtesy of E

dwin A

. Jones

WARNING

Firefighters must use caution when walking under a tail cone as it may be jettisoned while they are underneath it.

3–83

Emergency cut-in areas should be free of underlying hazards.

3–84

Data recording systems are critical to aircraft accident investigations.

3–85

Courtesy of Jam

es Nilo

Some aircraft contain other systems and components.

3–86

WARNING

Pitot tubes are heated to prevent ice from forming on them during flight. As a result, ARFF personnel should not touch pitot tubes because they can get hot enough to cause burns.

3–87

REVIEW QUESTION

What are some of the hazards presented by aircraft systems during

an emergency?

3–88

• Airport firefighters’ safety is linked to the level of training and familiarization with the types of aircraft that may be encountered during ARFF operations.

Summary

3–89

(Cont.)

• ARFF personnel must be thoroughly familiar with various types of civilian and military aircraft and able to recognize the unique features and components of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

Summary

3–90

(Cont.)

• Airport firefighters must be familiar with the types and applications of different engines used to power aircraft in order to safely function around aircraft in both normal and emergency conditions.

Summary

3–91

(Cont.)

• ARFF personnel should be trained to recognize the materials used in manufacture of aircraft so that they understand how the materials behave during aircraft crashes and fires.

• Airport firefighters must also identify and deal with the numerous fuel, power, and safety systems used aboard aircraft.

Summary

3–92