Aircraft Rescue and Fire

Fighting ,
5 th Edition

Chapter 3 — Aircraft
Familiarization
Chapter 3 Lesson Goal

• After completing this lesson, the student

shall be able to recall basic information
about aircraft and how that information
relates to aircraft rescue and fire
fighting (ARFF) operations.

ARFF
3–2
Objectives

1. Discuss various types of

aircraft.
2. Explain major aircraft
components.
3. Describe the various aircraft
engine types and applications.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–3
Objectives

4. Describe aircraft construction

and structural materials.
5. Discuss aircraft systems.

ARFF
3–4
Types of Aircraft —
Commercial Transport

• Narrow body aircraft

– Single aisle
– Seat up to 235
persons
Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones,
USAFR.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–5
Types of Aircraft —
Commercial Transport

• Wide body aircraft

– Dual aisles
– May carry over 500
passengers

Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones,

USAFR.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–6
Types of Aircraft —
Commercial Transport

• New large aircraft

(NLA)
– Use composite
materials
– Capacity of up to 900 Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones,
passengers USAFR.

– Pose additional
concerns for ARFF

ARFF
3–7
Types of Aircraft —
Commuter/Regional

• Used for short routes

• 19 to 60 passengers
• Cramped interiors
• Limited egress
• Larger aircraft may
seat up to 100

ARFF
3–8
Types of Aircraft — Cargo

• Used for cargo transport

• Also called freighters
• Modified passenger
aircraft
• Classes of Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones,
USAFR.
compartments: A, B, C,
D, and E
(Continued)

ARFF
3–9
Types of Aircraft — Cargo

• Gaining access to cargo compartments

– Most doors hinged at top and swing out
and up
– Many open electrically and hydraulically
– Mechanical doors manually open

ARFF
3–10
Types of Aircraft — General
Aviation

• Used for
pleasure/training
• Small, light,
nonpressurized
• Single or twin internal-
combustion engines

(Continued)

ARFF
3–11
Types of Aircraft — General
Aviation

• Challenges similar to
vehicle accidents
• One to ten passengers
• Majority of aviation
accidents/fatalities

ARFF
3–12
Types of Aircraft —
Business/Corporate

• Range from smaller,

light non-pressurized
to “commercial-type”
jets
• Often powered by Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones,
twin jet engines USAFR.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–13
Types of Aircraft —
Business/Corporate

• Typically pressurized
• Six to nineteen passengers
• Custom-designed interiors
• Most have one entry door
• Varying types of escape hatches

ARFF
3–14
Types of Aircraft — Military
Fighter and Attack Aircraft

• Air-to-air and/or air-

to-ground combat
• AC-130 gunship is
large
• Most have a one- or Photo by TSgt Bob Simons
(USAF), Defense Visual
two-seat Information Center (DVIC).
configuration
(Continued)

ARFF
3–15
Types of Aircraft — Military
Fighter and Attack Aircraft

• Carry weapons
• Equipped with
canopy-removal
systems and ejection
seats
Photo by SrA Joshua Strang
(USAF), Defense Visual
Information Center (DVIC).

ARFF
3–16
Types of Aircraft — Military
Bomber Aircraft

• Carry and drop large

quantity of air-to-
ground weapons
• Four- to eight-
engines Photo by PH2 Jorge L. Mendez
(USN), Defense Visual Information
• Crew of two to eight Center (DVIC).

(Continued)

ARFF
3–17
Types of Aircraft — Military
Bomber Aircraft

• Have explosive ejection seats

• Carry weapons internally, externally, or
both
• Large fuel load
• Significant quantities of high explosives

ARFF
3–18
Types of Aircraft — Military
Cargo Aircraft

• Used to carry cargo

• Examples include C-5,
C-17, and C-130
• Range from small to Photo by TSgt Richard t. Kaminsky
quite large (USAF), Defense Visual
Information Center (DVIC).
• Carry cargo and/or
personnel
(Continued)

ARFF
3–19
Types of Aircraft — Military
Cargo Aircraft

• Do not have ejection seats or canopy-

removal systems
• May have jet-assisted takeoff units
• Wide variety of cargo

ARFF
3–20
Types of Aircraft — Military
Tanker Aircraft

• Cargo aircraft modified

for in-flight refueling
– KC-10, KC-135
• May perform cargo
transport and fuel Photo by MSgt Lance Cheung
tanker functions (USAF), Defense Visual
Information Center (DVIC).
• Large fuel load

ARFF
3–21
Types of Aircraft — Military
Utility Aircraft

• Identified with a U
• Usually small aircraft
• Perform support
functions
Photo by LCPL Antonio (USMC),
• Do not carry weapons Defense Visual Information Center
or have ejection (DVIC).

systems
(Continued)

ARFF
3–22
Types of Aircraft — Military
Utility Aircraft

• Similar to general aviation aircraft

• Passenger load varies

ARFF
3–23
Types of Aircraft — Military
Special Purpose Aircraft

• Serve many functions

– Reconnaissance
– Command and control
– Testing
– Electronic surveillance

(Continued)

ARFF
3–24
Types of Aircraft — Military
Special Purpose Aircraft

• Designator letter varies with mission

Photo by SSgt Jason W. Gamble (USAF),

Defense Visual Information Center (DVIC).
ARFF
3–25
Types of Aircraft — Military
Helicopters

• Used for military assaults and

transportation
• Large part of aviation fleet
• Crew of two to five

(Continued)

ARFF
3–26
Types of Aircraft — Military
Helicopters

• May carry passengers and equipment

Photo by SSgt Jason W. Gamble (USAF),

Defense Visual Information Center (DVIC).
ARFF
3–27
Types of Aircraft — Rotary
Wing (Helicopters)

• Range from small,

single-seat to large
transports carrying up
to 50 passengers
• Not as rigidly
constructed as “fixed-
wing” aircraft
(Continued)

ARFF
3–28
Types of Aircraft — Rotary
Wing (Helicopters)

• Tend to collapse
• Little glide slope
• Piston or gas turbine engines
• Fuel capacity to 1,000 gallons (4 000 L)

(Continued)

ARFF
3–29
Types of Aircraft — Rotary
Wing (Helicopters)

• Main rotor — provides lift and

directional motion
• Tail rotor — provides directional control
• Constructed of materials similar to
those used for fixed-wing aircraft

ARFF
3–30
Types of Aircraft — Fire
Fighting Aircraft

• Medevac, high-angle
rescue and other
roles
• Fixed-wing
– Transporting smoke Courtesy of Ron Stoffel,
jumpers Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources Forestry
– Tankers to drop Division.
extinguishing agent (Continued)

ARFF
3–31
Types of Aircraft — Fire
Fighting Aircraft

• Rotary-wing aircraft
– Carry agent in slung buckets or mounted
tanks
– Transport firefighters and cargo
– Infrared imaging platforms
– Tool for backfiring operations

ARFF
3–32
Fixed-wing Aircraft
Components — Fuselage

• Main body of an aircraft

• Wings and tail are attached
• Aluminum used in construction

(Continued)

ARFF
3–33
Fixed-wing Aircraft
Components — Fuselage

• Trend toward composite materials

• Houses crew, passengers, cargo, and
additional fuel storage

(Continued)

ARFF
3–34
Fixed-wing Aircraft
Components — Fuselage

ARFF
3–35
Fixed-wing Aircraft — Fuselage
Compartments and Equipment

• Landing gear
• Cockpit
• Passenger compartment
• Static eliminators
• Pitot tubes

ARFF
3–36
Fixed-wing Aircraft
Components — Wings

• Designed to develop lift required for

flight
• Generally constructed of aluminum
• Carry a majority of fuel

(Continued)

ARFF
3–37
Fixed-wing Aircraft
Components — Wings

• Some use composite materials

• Military aircraft — weapons and
additional fuel tanks

ARFF
3–38
Fixed-wing Aircraft
Components — Wing
Components
• Engines
• Nacelle
• Ailerons
• Flaps and slats
• Spoilers and speed brakes
• Vortex generators

ARFF
3–39
Fixed-wing Aircraft
Components — Tail

• Vertical and horizontal stabilizers,

rudders, and elevators
• Generally houses APU
• Rear stairs or tail-cone jettison system
• Flight surface controls include elevator
and rudder

ARFF
3–40
Rotary-wing Aircraft
Components

• Fuselage
– Not built for high altitude pressurization
– Not as ruggedly constructed
• Main rotor – provides lift and propulsion
• Tail rotor – provides directional control

(Continued)

ARFF
3–41
Rotary-wing Aircraft
Components

• Landing gear
– Conventional gear
– Skids

ARFF
3–42
Internal-combustion
Reciprocating Engines

• Operate through
combustion of fuel
and vapors
• Use AVGAS
Courtesy of Doddy Photography.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–43
Internal-combustion
Reciprocating Engines

• Primarily used in general aviation

• Hazards to ARFF personnel
– Spinning propellers
– Hot engine parts
– Magneto

(Continued)

ARFF
3–44
Internal-combustion
Reciprocating Engines

• 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.

ARFF
3–45
Gas-turbine Engines

• Air is drawn in through the front,

compressed, mixed with fuel and
ignited, exhausted out the back
• Use jet fuel

(Continued)

ARFF
3–46
Gas-turbine Engines

• Major components of gas turbine

engines
– Compressor section
– Combustion section
– Turbine and exhaust section
– Accessory section

ARFF
3–47
Gas-turbine Engines – Main
Types

• Turbojet — simplest
engine
• Turbofan — most
common

(Continued)

ARFF
3–48
Gas-turbine Engines – Main
Types

• Turboprop — used
for small- and
medium-sized
commuter and cargo
aircraft Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones,
• Turboshaft — used USAFR.

in helicopters

ARFF
3–49
Engine Additions and
Variations

• Exhaust nozzles
• Afterburner
• Thrust reversal
systems

Photo by SGT Ezekiel R. Kitandwe

(USMC), Defense Visual
Information Center (DVIC).

ARFF
3–50
Metals Used in Aircraft
Construction

• Aluminum and aluminum alloys

• Steel
• Magnesium and magnesium alloys
• Titanium

ARFF
3–51
Composites, Advanced
Composites, and Advanced
Aerospace Materials

• Percentage will increase

• Success of NLA’s is because of these
materials
• Composed of two or more organic or
inorganic components

(Continued)

ARFF
3–52
Composites, Advanced
Composites, and Advanced
Aerospace Materials

• Advanced composites
– High strength and stiffness
– Other properties
• Advanced aerospace materials —
specialized to meet specific needs

ARFF
3–53
Plastics in Aircraft Construction

• Often replace wooden components

• Used in variety of tubing, conduit, and
other components

ARFF
3–54
Wood in Aircraft Construction

• Older aircraft may have wood in

structural areas
• Corporate-style aircraft incorporate
elaborate wood fixtures

ARFF
3–55
Aircraft Systems — Fuel
Systems

• Largest system in the aircraft

• Components located throughout aircraft
– Tanks
– Lines
– Control valves
– Pumps

(Continued)

ARFF
3–56
Aircraft Systems — Fuel
Systems

• Presents greatest hazard in an accident

• Two major parts
– Tanks
– Distribution system

ARFF
3–57
Aircraft Systems — Fuel
System Tanks

• Separate units or integral part of aircraft

• Small general aviation — tanks in the
wings
• Business-style, commuter, and
commercial aircraft — wings and center
fuselage store fuel

(Continued)

ARFF
3–58
Aircraft Systems — Fuel
System Tanks

• Double-walled fuselage tanks for long

distances
• Fuel may be released if aircraft is
damaged
• Civilian and military aircraft use auxiliary
fuel tanks
• Crash-resistant tanks in limited use
(Continued)

ARFF
3–59
Aircraft Systems — Fuel
System Tanks

• Fuel tanks may be

filled in various ways

Courtesy of Doddy Photography.

ARFF
3–60
Aircraft Systems – Fuel System
Distribution

• Fuel is distributed from tanks to engines

through fuel lines, control valves, and
pumps
• Fuel lines vary in size and material
• Deactivating fuel pumps can control fuel
system leaks

(Continued)

ARFF
3–61
Aircraft Systems — Fuel
System Distribution

• Temperature changes cause fuel to

expand and contract
– Tanks are equipped with vents and vent
tanks
– Usually not hazardous

(Continued)

ARFF
3–62
Aircraft Systems — Fuel
System Distribution

• Heating of fuel cells can cause fuel

expansion
• Two basic types of fuel
– AVGAS
– Jet fuel

ARFF
3–63
Aircraft Systems — Hydraulic
Systems

• Generate power
– Operate the control surfaces on an aircraft
– Extend and retract landing gear

(Continued)

ARFF
3–64
Aircraft Systems — Hydraulic
Systems

• Consists of
– Hydraulic fluid reservoir
– Electric or engine-driven pumps
– Appliances
– Various hydraulic accumulators
– Tubing

(Continued)

ARFF
3–65
Aircraft Systems — Hydraulic
Systems

• Synthetic hydraulic fluids

– Most widely used
– Present reduced flammability hazard
• Vintage aircraft hydraulic fluids
• Avoid cutting pressurized hydraulic
lines
(Continued)

ARFF
3–66
Aircraft Systems — Hydraulic
Systems

• Guard against hydraulic fluid contacting

skin, eyes, and protective clothing
– Severe skin and eye irritation
– Erode protective clothing surfaces

(Continued)

ARFF
3–67
Aircraft Systems — Hydraulic
Systems

• WARNING! When dealing with aircraft

emergencies around operating aircraft,
keep personnel aware and clear of
areas containing hydraulically and
pneumatically operated parts.

ARFF
3–68
Aircraft Systems – Wheel
Assemblies

• Consists of rims,
brakes, and tires
• Rims — equipped
with fusible plugs

Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones,

USAFR.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–69
Aircraft Systems – Wheel
Assemblies

• Brakes designed to
slow and stop aircraft

(Continued)

ARFF
3–70
Aircraft Systems — Wheel
Assemblies

• WARNING! When dealing with a

landing gear emergency such as a hot
brake or gear fire, always approach
landing gear either forward or aft of the
gear assembly.

ARFF
3–71
Aircraft Systems — Power,
Electrical, and Auxiliary
Systems
• Electrical systems
– Supply current for various devices
– Use both AC and DC current
• Aircraft batteries
– Lead acid
– Nickel cadmium

(Continued)

ARFF
3–72
Aircraft Systems — Power,
Electrical, and Auxiliary
Systems
• Auxiliary power unit (APU)
– Small jet engine with generator
– Used while aircraft is on the ground

(Continued)

ARFF
3–73
Aircraft Systems — Power,
Electrical, and Auxiliary
Systems
• Emergency power unit (EPU)
– Provide electrical power and hydraulic
power aboard airborne aircraft
– Three types: ram-air-turbine, jet-fuel, and
monopropellant

(Continued)

ARFF
3–74
Aircraft Systems — Power,
Electrical, and Auxiliary
Systems
• Monopropellent EPUs
– Extremely hazardous
– Powered by hydrazine

(Continued)

ARFF
3–75
Aircraft Systems — Power,
Electrical, and Auxiliary
Systems
• WARNING! Wear full personal
protective equipment 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.
(Continued)

ARFF
3–76
Aircraft Systems — Power,
Electrical, and Auxiliary
Systems
• Ground power units
(GPU)
– Provide onboard
electrical power while
engines or APU not
Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones,
operating USAFR.
– Can be mobile, fixed-
mounted, or bridge-
mounted (Continued)

ARFF
3–77
Aircraft Systems — Power,
Electrical, and Auxiliary
Systems
• Ground power units
(GPU)
– AC or DC power
– Diesel- or gas-fueled
– shutdown and Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones,
disconnection USAFR.

procedures
(Continued)

ARFF
3–78
Aircraft Systems — Power,
Electrical, and Auxiliary
Systems
• 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.

ARFF
3–79
Aircraft Systems — Aircraft
Lighting

• Personnel can designate location

relative to aircraft at night
• Red light at left wingtip
• Green light at right wingtip
• White light at tail section and end of
fuselage
(Continued)

ARFF
3–80
Aircraft Systems — Aircraft
Lighting

• Landing lights — high-intensity

spotlights
• Rotating or flashing red anti-collision
lights

ARFF
3–81
Aircraft Systems — Oxygen
Systems

• Aircraft intended for high-altitude

operations use an oxygen-supply
system for life-support
• Stored in a gaseous or liquid state
• Cylinders found in various locations

(Continued)

ARFF
3–82
Aircraft Systems — Oxygen
Systems

• Commercial aircraft — system for

chemically generating oxygen
• Passenger aircraft — drop-down oxygen
systems
• Cylinders have manual shut off on its
valve

(Continued)

ARFF
3–83
Aircraft Systems — Oxygen
Systems

• WARNING! High concentrations of

compressed gaseous oxygen will
accelerate combustion.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–84
Aircraft Systems — Oxygen
Systems

• Liquid Oxygen (LOX)

– Light blue and transparent
– May produce burns
– Will support combustion
• Present hazards to firefighters
• Don’t disturb cylinders
• In LOX fires, stop flow of oxygen and/or
fuel (Continued)

ARFF
3–85
Aircraft Systems — Oxygen
Systems

• WARNING! Do not disturb asphalt

onto which LOX has been spilled
because it is explosively unstable and
extremely shock-sensitive.

ARFF
3–86
Aircraft Systems — Radar
Systems

• Ignition sources and health hazards

• Activated on ground before takeoff and
deactivated after landing
• Located in aircraft nose
• Do NOT approach an aircraft’s nose

(Continued)

ARFF
3–87
Aircraft Systems — Radar
Systems

• Radar energy
– Can generate heat within nearby materials
– Act as an ignition source
• Energy causes adverse health effects
• Once engines and power are shut off,
radar is also turned off

ARFF
3–88
Aircraft Systems — Fire
Protection Systems

• Activated by flight/ground crew to

extinguish fires
• Consists of several components
• After crash, systems may or may not be
usable

(Continued)

ARFF
3–89
Aircraft Systems — Fire
Protection Systems

• Once battery disconnected/electrical

power removed, suppression system will
not operate
• Handheld extinguishers in cockpit/
throughout cabin
• Lavatories have detection and
suppression units

ARFF
3–90
Aircraft Systems —
Passenger/Crew Air Bags

• Recently been applied to aircraft

• Industry adopting aircraft restraint
systems in some areas
• FAA has approved systems
• Airbags may not deploy in a crash and
pose hazards

ARFF
3–91
Aircraft Systems — Flight Deck
Emergency Shutdown Systems

• ARFF personnel may conduct

emergency shutdown procedures
• Vary from simple, single action to
complicated sequence
• Military aircraft — highly detailed
procedures

ARFF
3–92
Aircraft Systems —
Ingress/egress Systems

• Evacuated in 90 seconds are less

• Primary means of egress — cabin doors
• Secondary means
– Over-/under-wing hatches
– Tail-cone jettison systems
– Rear air-stairs/stairs that lower at rear
– Roof hatches
(Continued)

ARFF
3–93
Aircraft Systems —
Ingress/egress Systems

• Aircraft slides
• Aircraft hatches
• Windows

Courtesy of William D. Stewart.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–94
Aircraft Systems —
Ingress/egress Systems

• Other means of
egress
– Rear stairs
– Emergency exit doors
– Overhead hatches Courtesy of William D. Stewart.

– Tail-cone jettison exits

• Emergency cut-in
areas (Continued)

ARFF
3–95
Aircraft Systems —
Ingress/egress Systems

• WARNING! Firefighters must use

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

ARFF
3–96
Aircraft Systems — Data
Recording Systems

• Important to accident investigation

• Flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit
voice recorder (CVR)
• Located in cargo compartment wall or
tail section of fuselage

(Continued)

ARFF
3–97
Aircraft Systems — Data
Recording Systems

• Painted international orange or bright

red
• Protect in place when possible

ARFF
3–98
Miscellaneous
Systems/Components

• Anti-icing systems
• Pressurized cylinders
• Pitot tubes
• Antennas

(Continued)

ARFF
3–99
Miscellaneous
Systems/Components

• 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.

ARFF
3–100
Summary

• An airport firefighter’s safety is linked to

the level of training and familiarization
the firefighter has with the types of
aircraft that may be encountered during
ARFF operations.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–101
Summary

• ARFF personnel must be thoroughly

familiar with the various civilian and
military aircraft. They must be able to
recognize the unique features and
components of fixed-wing and rotary-
wing aircraft.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–102
Summary

• To function safely around aircraft

engines under normal and emergency
conditions, airport firefighters need to
be familiar with the types and
applications of the different engines that
are used to power aircraft.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–103
Summary

• ARFF personnel should be trained to

recognize the materials used in the
manufacture of aircraft and understand
how these materials behave during
aircraft crashes and fires.

(Continued)

ARFF
3–104
Summary

• Additionally, airport firefighters must be

able to identify and deal with the
numerous fuel, power, and safety
systems used aboard aircraft.

ARFF
3–105
Review Questions

1. What rescue concerns are

emerging with the use of new large
aircraft (NLA)?
2. Which designator letter is
assigned to unmanned aerial
vehicles?
3. How do static eliminators work?
(Continued)

ARFF
3–106
Review Questions

4. List the main sections of a

rotary-wing aircraft.
5. Which type of gas turbine
engine is most commonly found on
aircraft today?
6. Why is magnesium commonly
used for engine-mounting brackets? (Continued)

ARFF
3–107
Review Questions

7. Why are labels necessary in

the use of standardized coding?
8. What systemic effects can be
caused by exposure to hydrazine
vapor?
9. How are escape slides
disconnected from aircraft to be used
as rafts?
10. What color are flight data
ARFF
3–108