With Vintage Halon Units About the Expire, the Time to Replace is Now

Avcon Industries has been given STC approval for the installation of their non-halon portable fire extinguisher replacements in a long list of Learjets.

The Supplemental Type Certificate covers Learjet Model 24, 25, 29, 31, 31A, 35, 36, 35A (C-21A), 36A, 40, 45, 55, 55B, 55C, 60, 60XR, 70, and 75 aircraft. Avcon was given FAA STC No. ST12087CH, which allows the replacement of old-school halon fire extinguishers across classic Lears. Avcon’s Halotron BrX-filled fire extinguishers are offered in the same sizes as the units they replace, simplifying installation and keeping stock mounts. The firm says they’ve already put in for EASA validation too, which should come just in time for the final phase-out of all Halon devices in the EU this year.

Learjet operators who still haven’t made the switch may not have noticed the rest of the world moving on without them: Halon has been on the hit list of regulation for decades now, being fully banned in the EU since 1994. Aviation, as a “critical” use category, was given a hall pass to keep using them for years, but that allowance is coming to a close. EASA and EU regulators have required all handheld Halon fire extinguishers be replaced with a suitable alternative by the end of 2025. Avcon hopes it can pick up any stragglers who haven’t yet made the jump, and it’s hard to say they could make the process much simpler for U.S. operators here.

“Avcon and Butler Avionics teamed with a leading specialty fire extinguisher vendor to make available non-halon fire extinguishers to comply with the pending EASA mandate, and obtain STC installation approval for Learjets,” said Patrick Hupp, Avionics Manager. “The new extinguishers are engineered for straightforward installation in the same location as existing units, with provisions for additional mounting locations in some legacy Learjet models. We are working diligently to obtain EASA approval for the replacement fire extinguisher installation. Avcon and Butler Avionics are also working to add additional models to the STC-approved model list (AML).”

FMI: www.avconindustries.com