Class D to C Fire Suppression System Engineering, Certification and Kit Manufacture
Jetaire performed the full Engineering, Certification,
Program Management, and Kit Manufacture of Class “D”
to “C” cargo compartment smoke detection and fire
suppression system for B727, B737, MD80, MD90 and
L-1011 aircraft. Originally designed at the request
of Delta Air Lines, Jetaire has since sold over 500
modification kits to airlines and operators around
the world.
Jetaire developed the smoke detection and fire suppression
system at the request of Delta Air Lines for their
B727, B737, MD80, MD90 and L-1011 aircraft. This program
resulted in the certification and modification of
240 aircraft over a 22 month period. The engineering
activity consisted of 90% mechanical design and 10%
electrical design. The mechanical designs included:
stainless steel fire extinguisher bottles; mounting
brackets; hoist pulleys; aluminum dispersal tubing
and nozzles in the cargo bays, keel, and over wing
areas; and a fire control panel. The electrical design
required complete wire routing, installation, testing,
and maintenance documentation. Several configurations
of each model were included in each system design
To certify the system Jetaire developed all analysis,
substantiation, certification plans, instruction for
continued airworthiness, technical publications updates
for the program, documentation for the installation
of a the system on Delta’s fleet of B727, B737, MD80,
MD90 and L-1011 aircraft. Jetaire was also responsible
for the FAA required Safety Analysis for the system.
Technical publication changes to the flight manual,
wiring diagram manual, IPC, maintenance manual were
provided in an ATA-100 format. Thousands of pages
of drawings, documents, and ATA-100 technical manual
pages were delivered to this program.
Jetaire was the first company to certify such a system
and our initial certification procedures were reviewed
and our flight tests were monitored by representatives
from literally every Aircraft Certification Office
in the FAA’s system. This initial certification became
the standard that the FAA used to certify all similar
systems. Our work earned us the respect of many high
level FAA personnel and was touted as an excellent
example of the FAA learning from industry.
Jetaire demonstrated its program management expertise
by assuming responsibility for all facets of the program
including, FAA coordination, accomplishment of ground
and flight testing, scheduling of kits, and manufacturers
support.
Jetaire was responsible for acquiring FAA Parts Manufacturing
Approval (PMA) for the installation kits. The kits
included structural, electrical, tubing, hose, and
hardware for installation of the system. Jetaire was
also awarded a follow-on product support contract
to support the system configuration reports, recommended
spares lists, ground support data, and troubleshooting
procedures.
The success of this program resulted in Jetaire receiving
Delta’s Accolades Award as their Minority Supplier
of the Year.
