Light Aviation Services - South Central Fire and Rescue
Light Aviation Services
Specialist Aviation Fire & Rescue Vehicle
Light Aircraft & Helicopter Cover
Our service is built around a fully engineered Land Rover 4×4 fire appliance designed, equipped, and crewed specifically to deliver rapid and effective fire cover for light aviation operations, airfields, airstrips, helipads, and landing sites, including provisions for event fire cover.
Our vehicle, equipment, systems, and operational procedures are fully aligned with the requirements set out by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in CAP 168 – Aerodrome Fire Service Requirements and CAP 699 – Guidance on Aerodrome Fire Service Provision, the core regulatory documents governing aviation fire safety in the UK.
CAP 168 sets the mandatory standards for fire service provision at all licensed aerodromes, categorized by aircraft size, traffic volume, and risk level.
Our 4×4 unit meets the specification for Category 1 to 3 aerodromes (low-risk, light aviation sites):
• Response capability: Meets the requirement for first-response vehicles to reach any part of the movement area within 3 minutes – our 4×4 mobility ensures this even on unmade or grass surfaces.
• Agent quantities: Our 500L water + 20L foam payload exceeds the minimum requirement of 300L water and 15L foam for Category 2/3 sites.
• Pump performance: Fitted with a high-pressure, high-flow pump delivering ≥300 litres per minute – matching CAP 168’s minimum flow rate for initial attack and protection.
• Mobility: Four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and off-road tires meet the requirement for vehicles to operate in all weather and ground conditions, including wet grass, mud, or soft surfaces.
CAP 699 provides detailed guidance on equipment, crew competence, and operational procedures for aerodrome fire services – we fully adopt and meet every relevant section:
• Equipment specification: All firefighting media, hoses, nozzles, and delivery systems are type-approved and meet BS EN 1829, BS EN 3-7, and aviation industry standards.
• Agent application: Our foam system is calibrated to deliver the correct 3%–6% solution ratio as specified for aviation fuel fires.
• Operational readiness: Equipment is tested, maintained, and certified weekly, with full records kept – in line with CAP 699 maintenance schedules.
• Rescue capability: Vehicle carries cutting, lifting, and rescue tools aligned with requirements for light aircraft and helicopter extrication, underscoring our technical rescue capabilities.
Professional Firefighters – Aviation-Trained
Our teams consist not only of standard firefighters; every crew member holds full professional firefighting qualifications along with additional specialist training tailored exclusively for light aviation, meeting CAA and industry training benchmarks.
Our unit is designed for light aviation environments only:
• Fixed-wing aircraft
• Helicopters
• Licensed and unlicensed airfields, airstrips, and private strips
• Helipads, landing sites, and temporary operating areas
• Flying schools, training flights, maintenance facilities
• Air shows, fly-ins, open days, displays, and aviation events
Whether you need permanent standby cover, ad-hoc support, or event-only provision, our Land Rover 4×4 delivers compliant, capable, and rapid response, giving you, your pilots, and your visitors total peace of mind, alongside essential first aid services.