Mobile Aircraft Fire Trainer (MAFT)

Mobile Aircraft Fire Trainer

MAFT 2009

Edmonton Airports Fire Training Services operates a Mobile Aircraft Fire Trainer (MAFT) for both internal training and external training opportunities. The MAFT is an unique piece of training equipment designed to meet regulatory training requirements, both onsite at Edmonton International Airport and mobile to other airport partners.

The MAFT can be setup on any hard surface and prepared to provide live fire training scenarios without damaging surface area. Propane fueled fires provide cleaner burning options than liquid fuel. With environmental issues impacting liquid fuel sites, the MAFT can provide an environmentally friendly option on training site.

The MAFT offers integrated training applications in managing standard aircraft safety systems the airport firefighter needs to be competent with. From inside the cockpit, to external shut down procedures, the MAFT provides the methodical approach required to ensure airport firefighter competencies.

The MAFT control centre ensures the operation of the whole system in a safe, secured environment meeting all National Fire Protection Association standards for safe fire training.

To watch a MAFT training exercise video, click here.

To see photos of the MAFT in action at EIA click here and here.

MAFT at EIA press

MAFT FAQ

Q. What are the differences between fossil fuels and what the MAFT has to offer?

A. The MAFT provides a live aircraft firefighting experience for airport, industrial, and municipal firefighters. Unlike the traditional method of open-pit burning with liquid fuels like jet a and gasoline, it utilizes propane to simulate an actual event. In addition, the MAFT is environmentally friendly. Many open-pit training sites, on the other hand, can generate air, soil, and water pollutants that raise environmental and compliance issues, and many have been forced to cease operations. The lack of live-fire training, however, could diminish ARFF crew readiness and compromise firefighter preparedness.

Q. What are the business advantages of using the MAFT rather than a fixed facility?

A. The financial and environmental advantage of using the MAFT on client airport / site provide cost savings in the following budget line items.

Training on shift during normal working hours. Cost savings around sending staff out for training. Overtime implications, and backfill overtime while staff is gone.
Cost of liquid fuel savings, along with savings on extinguishing agents required. Propane along with reduced fuel flow rates provide savings on the financial and environmental budget.
Meet regulatory requirements, impacting different budgets in a one stop shop solution. Regulatory ARFF training requirements. Emergency preparedness requirements.