Most fire protection systems currently used on cargo aircraft require manual activation by a crew member. In addition, many fire protection systems can only identify fire hazards in cargo containers declared and labeled as hazardous by the shipper. However, most fires originate from goods that have not yet been declared hazardous, which poses a new challenge to existing fire protection systems. With its unique rooftop design and automatic activation method, the FedEx FSS system overcomes this challenge by promptly extinguishing fire hazards that occur on any cargo container or pallet in the main cabin of the aircraft.
In addition, according to the current regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States, in the event of a fire in the aircraft cabin, the cargo plane must immediately decompress and land at a nearby airport. This means that the flight crew has only about 30 minutes to safely land the cargo plane. Using FedEx's security system, cargo planes on long-distance international routes can have up to three hours to steer and land safely."Our new in-flight safety system has taken industry safety standards to a new level. By applying FedEx's new technology, our pilots can have more time to inspect and fly, further ensuring the safety of themselves, aircraft, and cargo.".
The introduction of the FedEx FSS system into the company's fleet is only the latest update in a series of improvements we have made to pilots and cargo aircraft to strengthen FedEx's safety commitment. In 2008, FedEx applied for a Head Up Display and Enhanced Flight Vision System (HUD/EFVS) for its MD-10 and MD-11 cargo planes. This technology creatively combines the systems of Honeywell and Elbit, improving the flight condition awareness of aircraft crew members under limited visual conditions. Since January 2009, the company has started installing the HUD/EFVS system on the MD-11 cargo aircraft, and will subse complete the system installation work on the MD-10 cargo aircraft.
With the installation of the runway awareness and advisory system (RAAS) in place, ground safety issues are also being considered. This upgrade has upgraded the standards of existing enhanced ground proximity warning systems at many airports, from simply providing auditory upgrades to providing aircrew with awareness of the true location of cargo aircraft, including their understanding of runways and taxiways during takeoff, landing, and taxiing operations.