News from January 2009

Fire and Ice

Published: 27 January 2009

Coors Belfast Giants 'ignite' new £2 million fire training rig

The Coors Belfast Giants ice hockey team found time in their busy schedule to visit the new fire training facility at Belfast International Airport.

At a cost of almost £2 million the airport has established one of the UK's foremost aircraft fire training facilities, measuring 45 metres in length and designed to represent Boeing767 / Airbus A320 aircraft.  The simulator provides multi configured internal layouts which simulate the interiors of aircraft with multi seating and aisle capabilities, also included are purpose built overhead lockers, toilets, galley, cargo areas and cockpit.

External features include wings, high engines and landing gear and along with other innovative equipment such as dramatic sound generation systems to replicate real incident background noise and variable lighting illuminations all add to produce numerous realistic simulations.

Mark Bothwell, Chief Fire Officer at Belfast International Airport, said: "This excellent facility is the result of extensive research and planning and will allow the airports firefighting teams access to state of the art training equipment and technology. "

Pictured is Airport firefighter Peter Kerby with Belfast Giants ice hockey stars Mark Morrison and Dave Phillips