Case Studies
Design - Training - Equipment Supply
Design
NIMBUS - 2002
The NIMBUS L382G aerial dispersant spray system was designed and manufactured by Ayles Fernie International in 2004/2005 to meet a particular Oil Spill Response Ltd (OSRL) design requirement for a modular dispersant spray system for the Lockheed L-382G "Hercules" aircraft. The modular requirement was specified so that the system could be air-freighted in the cargo holds of conventional wide body jet transport aircraft. This feature would mean that the system could be transported rapidly to more distant locations for installation into a pre-positioned "Hercules" aircraft.
In order to undertake this complex project Ayles Fernie was required to obtain Civil Aviation Authority Production Approval and design, manufacturing and ground/flight testing activities were monitored throughout by the UK CAA. The modular design of NIMBUS created a number of demanding structural challenges and all structural calculations were carried out by Ayles Fernie with independent verification by AmTech Aeronautical in Canada where the system first obtain Supplementary Type Certification (STC). This Canadian STC was later extended to US FAA certification.
A further design complication introduced by the modular design was the need to maintain the aircraft Centre of Gravity (cg) within specified limits. To achieve this, the NIMBUS system incorporates automated flow control such that flow from each tank is modulated by motorised flow control valves. There is provision for manual over ride should the control system fail in any way.
The NIMBUS system can be installed in approximately 45 minutes by a trained crew and the dispersant loaded in about 15 minutes. The system is normally installed on the aircraft roller floor but can be installed on the bare floor if problems arise with compatibility with the roller floor.
NIMBUS won the International Sea Trade Award in 2004 and to date, one NIMBUS system is in operation with OSRL/EARL . Numerous enquiries for further NIMBUS systems, including a simplified version, have been received and negotiations are on-going.
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NIMBUS Roller Floor Layout
Seatrade Award
Training
NIMBUS Operators Course
Following the delivery of NIMBUS to OSRL in 2002, Ayles Fernie provided a 5 day training course for OSRL crews. This course included one day in the classroom to cover the technical detail and performance of the system and this was followed by practical training on the system in the OSRL warehouse. The NIMBUS system can be operated on the ground using an aircraft ground power unit and this allows realistic training on the system before the students are allowed to proceed to aircraft training. Once the students were sufficiently familiar with the system, the course moved to the next stage in the course which involved aircraft installation and operation on the ground followed by flight training with 2 crews flying together with the Ayles Fernie instructor. On completion of the course all students are qualified to operate the NIMBUS system on the Lockheed L-382G aircraft and of course, wear the coveted NIMBUS badge!
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Equipment Supply
Bergesen Worldwide Offshore - Containerised Spill Response Systems
On many occasions, Ayles Fernie has been engaged to supply the full range of oil spill response equipment and a regular customer is the FPSO Operator Bergesen Worldwide Offshore. In 2005 and 2006, Ayles Fernie supplied Containerised Oil Spill Response systems for the "FPSO Senge Berge" in Nigeria and the "FPSO BW Enterprize" in Mexico. These systems included, Booms, Boom Reels, Skimmers, Floating Storage Tanks, Oil Transfer Pumps, Dispersant Spray Systems all stored in fitted 20ft Containers.