WASHINGTON -- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today issued a
final rule requiring fire detection and suppression systems in aircraft
cargo compartments. The rule affects nearly 3,700 passenger aircraft and
all newly manufactured aircraft.

The rule meets a recommendation of the White House Commission on Aviation
Safety and Security, which urged the installation of both fire detection
and suppression systems in all aviation cargo holds.  

"This rule will provide passengers with additional assurance about the
safety of the aircraft on which they are traveling," said Vice President
Al Gore, who chaired the Commission.  "This, along with other measures the
FAA has taken in response to the Commission's recommendations, will help 
ensure that airline travel remains as safe as possible for all travelers."
 
The airline industry, through the Air Transport Association (ATA), announced
in December 1996 that the industry would voluntarily speed the installation 
of these systems in commercial aircraft.  Some airlines already have FAA 
approval to retrofit their fleet.  Air carriers may begin retrofitting their
aircraft immediately, and the FAA continues to work in partnership with the
airline industry to ensure that all affected aircraft are retrofitted within
the next three years. Airlines will be required to report their progress
quarterly to the FAA. 

Currently, most wide-body passenger aircraft have fire detection and
suppression systems in inaccessible compartments.  This rule requires that
the remainder of the passenger fleet be equipped with the same systems.

Approximately 300 all-cargo aircraft will be required to have detection
systems and a means to shut off air flow to the compartment.

The total life-cycle cost to retrofit the fleet is estimated at $300 million.
The approximate lifetime cost per aircraft is $90,000.  

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An electronic version of this news release is available via
the World Wide Web at: www.faa.gov