Stanley Airport (ICAO – SFAL) is the only regional airport in the Falkland Islands. The airport is classed as a STOLport because of its two short asphalt runways: 09/27 measuring 1375 metres and 18/36 measuring 345 metres.
The airport is situated 3.2 kilometres from the capital Stanley and it is operated by the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) who maintain a fleet of five Britten Norman Islander aircraft serving 33 x destinations across the archipelago.
The Falkland Islands Airport Fire & Rescue Service provide aviation rescue and fire-fighting capabilities currently to CAT2 / H2 requirements at the airport with a complement of a SAFO, 1 x Watch Manager, 1 x Crew Commander plus 2 x fire-fighters.
FIGAS have recently enhanced the airports ARFF vehicle fleet with the commissioning of this stunning Ford F550 Super Duty XLT 4×4/Rosenbauer International AG CAT 3 rapid intervention vehicle. The RIV was specified on the superior American Ford F550 chassis featuring a mighty 6.7 litre 300 hp turbo diesel engine combined with 6 speed automatic transmission and a 4 door crew-cabin accommodating the driver + 4 crew with individual SCBA mountings. The Austrian built RIV carries 1.200 litres of water, 150 litres of foam plus 135 kg Monnex DCP and makes use of a Rosenbauer Fox 1600 lpm pump and a front mounted automated Rosenbauer RM15 ChemCore bumper turret rated @ 1,000 lpm. The body incorporates 2 x spacious lockers per side housing a variety of fire-fighting equipment plus a comprehensive selection of battery operated ResQtec Electronic Direct Drive (EDD) rescue cutting gear. The front mounted Warn winch boasts a towing force of 5400 kg.
The RIV was supplied by Angloco Limited in the UK and fitted-out and finished in to this striking livery at their Batley West-Yorkshire factory; prior to being dispatched on the 8000 mile journey by sea to the South Atlantic.
Photograph courtesy of SAFO Duane Stewart Falkland Islands Airport Fire & Rescue Service
