LEXINGTON, Ky. — A new simulator unveiled Wednesday at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport is making Kentucky a national leader in aircraft safety and emergency response. There’s only 12 simulators like this one in the country and one of them is at Blue Grass Airport.

What You Need To Know

  • Blue Grass Airport in Lexington is unveiled uupgraded airplane and helicopter fire simulators 

  • The airport is one of 12 in the country designated by the FAA as a aircraft rescue and firefighting training center 

  • With the flip of a switch, firefighters can face 28 different fires simulating a unique scenario 

  • It replaced the original training tools built in the late 1990s

The simulator is modeled after real-life aircraft, and it can simulate 28 different fires that first responders could encounter during an emergency. At over 98 feet long, and an over 63 feet wingspan, the plane looks like an ordinary Boeing 737 or Airbus 320 passenger model. But in a matter of minutes, the mock plane can be fully in flames.

“Whether it’s an engine fire, the wheel, a brake catches fire or there’s smoke in the cockpit or some other unusual circumstance that occurs; it is rare but we’ll learn and train on how to defeat that fire,” said Blue Grass Airport President and CEO Eric Frankl.

It’s part of the Blue Grass Airport’s Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Training Center. It’s one of a handful of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designated training centers in the U.S. Frankl said due to its unique status, many airports across the country use the space in Lexington to train their crews.

“Not only does it train our workforce, our police and fire workforce but for firefighters at airports all over the country,” Frankl said.

The mock plane and a 30-foot-long helicopter replaced the original training tools installed in the late 1990s. Frankl said that technology reached the end of its life and was outdated. These offer more advanced training and offer a wider range of scenarios in what feels like a real plane.

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., was on hand to cut the ribbon and see the simulation work. Barr said it was a collaborative effort between the federal government, FAA and Lexington city leaders.

“Folks here in Central Kentucky remember all too well Comair flight 5191, this is a really important thing for this community especially it’s very emotional but to be a leader in national aviation safety is a really big plus for our community,” Barr said.

It’s a nearly $13 million investment, mostly funded by federal funds.

Renovations began on the facility in late 2023 and was recently completed in time for fall training classes. The training center continued providing limited course instruction during construction, but a full range of classes is now being offered again.

The training center is getting ready for its 40-hour weeklong fall courses from Nov. 11-15 and Dec. 9-13.

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