Pilots and flight attendants can now learn how to deal with fire and smoke in aircraft using a new training rig installed by TAG Global Training at the group’s London-area Farnborough Airport. The unit represents a business jet cabin, including galley and lavatory, and can start controlled fires in a seat, an in-flight entertainment unit, the toilet and a microwave oven. The automated system, with pre-set training options, can also fill the cabin with smoke. Minerva Simulation Facilities developed it for TAG.

The rig gives crew opportunities to safely practice procedures for donning personal breathing equipment and extinguishing fires quickly. They can also practice how to help passengers in a smoke-filled cabin.

TAG Global Training was created initially to train the aircraft management and charter group’s own crew, but it now provides training to around 70 other operators each year and some 4,000 crewmembers. Its Farnborough facility also has an over-wing exit trainer and a door exit trainer.

The company offers an EASA-accredited course for cabin crew, and pilots can take the safety classes as part of their annual recurrent training. There is also a FlightSafety International Learning Center at Farnborough. Other training programs offered by TAG include crew resource management, first aid, survival training and guidance for seasonal weather operations.