Use of Aerotracer Tool for Cabin Air Quality Troubleshooting

ATA: 21-00 FIN: Ref: 21.00.00126 A/C Type: A300

A300-600 A310 A318 A319 A320 A321 A330 A340 A340-500 A340-600 A350 A380

A/C Serie: Topic: First Issue Date:

27-NOV-2015

Part Number: Last Publication Date:

27-NOV-2015

Supplier: Linked Articles:

Linked Documentation:

Purpose of this Article:

The Aerotracer tool is manufactured by the company, Airsense Analytics GmbH. It is a joint product of the companies Airsense Analytics and Lufthansa Technik. It is marketed as a tool that can be used to identify odours, and it can be bought with a database covering the substances used on aircraft, such as engine oil, hydraulic fluid, landing gear oleo oil etc.

Advice is sometimes requested from airlines about the use of the Airsense Analytics Aerotracer tool for troubleshooting cabin air quality issues. This article provides Airbus experience regarding the use of this tool.

Engineering Support

First Issue Date: 27-NOV-2015 Model: Last Publication Date: 27-NOV-2015 Manufacturer:

Applicability

All Aircraft

References

None

Background

The Aerotracer tool is manufactured by the company, Airsense Analytics GmbH. It is a joint product of the companies Airsense Analytics and Lufthansa Technik. It is marketed as a tool that can be used to identify odours, and it can be bought with a database covering the substances used on aircraft, such as engine oil, hydraulic fluid, landing gear oleo oil etc.

Description

Advice is requested from airlines about the use of the Airsense Analytics Aerotracer tool

Solution / Recommendation

Use of Aerotracer following an Event

In terms of detecting oil odours in the field, Airbus considers that the Aerotracers real value is in detecting “fresh” oil contamination. That is to say, in detecting oil contamination as it occurs. Since the “smelly” substances produced by an oil contamination are quite sticky, they are more likely to be stuck inside ducting or other surfaces, rather than dispersed in the cabin air, after an odour event has happened. Therefore, the best way to get an accurate oil/no oil determination is measurement during the event, or afterwards during a flight or ground run where the oil odour is reproduced.

Use of Aerotracer for Routine Sampling

Since the Aerotracer is probably not more sensitive than a human nose to odours, it might not make sense to routinely test the aircraft where there are no reported odours. Use of the Aerotracer after an odour report, in order to confirm if the odour is engine oil or not is probably the most useful way to use the tool.

Oil/TCP Detection

Airbus considers that the Aerotracer does not directly detect Tricresyl phosphate TCP, but rather a marker substance for engine oil (which is not TCP). A positive reading for engine oil does not directly signify the presence of TCP.

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