AAE Ltd.

AAE Ltd. makes fire protection systems for aircraft cargo. Its website lists the main product as the Appliance Fire Protection System. It also lists fire protection for unit load devices and kits for the lower cargo compartments of aircraft. A unit load device is a container or pallet used to load freight onto an aircraft.

One service is the conversion of lower cargo compartments from Class D to Class C. Class C compartments have their own fire detection and fire suppression systems. The company holds supplemental type certificates for this work from the FAA, EASA and some other authorities. A supplemental type certificate approves a change to an aircraft design.

The FPS system for compartments is controlled by a cargo detection and suppression control panel. The panel watches the whole system. It arms the suppression system for the affected compartment and discharges a second extinguisher bottle at the set time after activation. For EASA, that time is 5 minutes. The panel also checks each smoke detector and shows the exact location of a faulty one, so repairs can be quick.

The system uses a quick discharge bottle to knock down a fire. Then one or more bottles keep the protection going for the time required. The EASA and extended duration kits use a larger second bottle. The agent is directed to the top of the compartment and into the cargo load.

The company also makes a dual channel smoke detector. It has two channels, each with its own power, ground and inputs and outputs. The company says it is more sensitive and reliable and has a chamberless design that resists false alarms.

For unit load devices and similar containment areas, the appliance works in three steps. It detects smoke from a fire inside, discharges an extinguishing aerosol, and releases a smoke agent outside. The aircraft's own smoke detectors then pick this up and warn the crew. Versions are described for ground crew and for truck drivers and crew.

The website lists the systems, certificates and product overviews.