The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a long-anticipated notice of proposed rule-making requiring fire-suppression systems in aircraft cargo holds by 2001. This would directly affect about 2,800 passenger aircraft, and some 300 all-cargo aircraft would also be required to have hold fire-detection systems and a means to shut off airflow. The rule is expected by year-end, and carriers will have three years to comply. Flight International (28 May-3 June) reported that Delta Air Lines, which had voluntarily started its fire-protection programme, was to install equipment on 82 aircraft: the correct figure is 382.
Source: Flight International
