FAQ

How long is the Firefighting training session?

There is about 1.5 h of training in class followed by a 10-questions written exam corrected at 100% or an on-line e-Learning firefighting program (+/- 50 min.) available through the website. This on-line training presents the theoretical part of the Firefighting program – initial, annual, recurrent - suitable for all crewmembers (pilots, flight attendants, PAOBD, ACM, instructors, technicians) and ground personnel, manager, inspectors and passengers. This on-line training complies with current regulations of the Canadian Aviation Regulations - CAAC -.FAA - JAA. Depending only on your availability, It is flexible and can be done anywhere, at any time of the day. This program is completed by a practical portion of live firefighting in one of our firefighting simulator. Practical takes +/- 8 minutes per participant.

How many participants can sit in the firefighting simulator?

A maximum of 12 participants can be in the simulator at a time, but 10 is the ideal number.

How should participants dress for the Firefighting training session?

Dress casual and wear low heels. Aero-Formatech^® provides flame-resistant coveralls (NFPA standards), working gloves and generic breathing masks (PBE).

What type of fire and smoke are used in the firefighting simulator?

Propane gas or ethanol burners are used to fuel fires and produce real, non-polluting flames. Fog (smoke) machines are used to generate artificial, non-toxic smoke in the simulator. Once smoke, overheated with the flames, is accumulating against the ceiling of the simulator, it produces layers and stratification of heated smoke creating a unique realistic simulation. Participants are asked to bend down and breathe through their clothing as crewmembers firefighters would do to stay low in a real situation. Although the smoke is non-toxic, everyone in the simulator is wearing a protective mask to simulate their respective PBE.

What type of mask is used for firefighting training?

Scott AV-2000 & AV-3000 & 3M Respirator 6900 protective breathing masks are used in the simulator. They are cleaned and disinfected before and after each use in accordance with NFPA & NIOSH standards. Practicing firefighting and establishing communication with the mask on is very similar to a real emergency situation.

How many participants can attend a Firefighting training class?

Any number of participants up to classroom capacity can attend the theoretical portion of the program. Only a maximum of 12 participants can enter the simulator at a time to attend practical training, but several groups of participants can be created to enter the simulator during the day of training.

How do you manage practical Firefighting training if there is bad weather outside?

Aero-Formatech^® has been in business for over 23 years (with more than 2000 courses given across the country); a confirmed on-site session is never cancelled regardless of where it takes place. Classroom sessions are held in class and practical firefighting takes place inside a simulator on site. The live firefighting practical takes place in any type of weather. The temperature inside the simulator is maintained (heated) at 65oF (18ᵒC) in the winter and the simulator is ventilated in the summer.

Can participants attend Firefighting training at any time of the day?

Firefighting training in the simulator can be done at any time of day.

Who should attend Firefighting training?

Anyone can benefit from this training. A fire emergency can happen to anybody at any time. The important thing is to be prepared in case it happens to you. Practicing firefighting with a portable extinguisher in a confined space with smoke, fire, heat and multiple passengers is very realistic. We help you develop emergency response reflexes.

What kind of certification do you provide and for how long is it valid?

We provide each participant with a written and signed confirmation of participation (along with a corrected to 100% written exam) and a certificate for both, firefighting and evacuation on water training. This training is not only a matter of being certified; it is about being trained to develop reflexes and abilities and being ready, at all times, in case of emergency.

Aero-Formatech^® recommandation: Annual classroom or e-Learning and Practical every 2 years.

What is the product in your firefighting extinguishers?

Our firefighting extinguishers are filled with pressurized nitrogen. The nozzles are customized for our training purposes and produce the exact reach of stream (8 to 12 feet) (2.5m) and duration (8 to 12 seconds) of Halon 1211 (2½ to 3 lbs) fire extinguishers that are used in the aviation industry.

Aiming pressurized nitrogen (inert gas) at the fire with a sweeping motion extinguishes the fire. This exercise is very realistic.

Can both pilots and flight attendants attend Firefighting training?

We strongly suggest mixing pilots and flight attendants as they will more likely have to work together in case of an emergency. Team work is an imperative crew concept.

How should participants dress for Evacuation on Water training?

Dress casual in class. We suggest that you bring extra clothing for the water (in-pool) portion of this training. Although it is more realistic to wear clothing in the water and feel the extra weight, you can also wear a swimsuit if you wish. Bring a lock for the locker.

What type of pool are you using?

Temperature and weather permitting, Evacuation on Water training is performed in an outside pool. Otherwise, we rent wave-pools whenever possible. This makes training more realistic. We rent close by pools and we make sure it is clean, well maintained and secure (technicians /lifeguards on site). There is always one Aero-Formatech^® technician in the water with participants and another one poolside.

How long is the Evacuation on Water training session?

There is about 1.5 h of training in class, including a video of raft inflation and survival kit hands-on practice, followed by a 10-question written exam corrected at 100%. Travelling to the pool area and performing exercises in the water takes about 1.5h. For a total of +/- 3 hours of training.
(An e-learning training will be available in June 2015)

What is the cost for the Firefighting and/or Evacuation on Water training?

Please send your request for program cost with location, date and time to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will send you our standardized price list with any further requested information.

How far in advance can we register a group or individuals on a course?

You can register at any time. Our goal is to simplify and satisfy your training needs.

Do you have local instructors and technicians available in different locations?

When available, we use local qualified instructors and technicians.

What is your personnel training background?

All our instructors have an airline background (pilots, flight attendants, flight engineers) with many years of experience in emergency procedures. Most of our technicians are professional firefighters and certified lifeguard and first-responders. Some of our experienced technicians come from the airline industry with In-flight Emergency training knowledge.