You will find below the latest VC/BeCA newsletter on Contaminated Cockpit Air. It gives an updated overview of the issue by the VC WG, a reference committee on the topic in Europe.

You can download the newsletter here.

At company level, the results from the BeCA/VC ASR reporting campaign on the 757 fleet has produced noticeable results; the company has amended the replacement interval of Pall filters to lower time limits (lowered from the 700 flight hours – the standard interval – to 50 flight hours on some airplanes). This should avoid the “puffs” of accumulated dense oil residue, generating headaches and dizziness on some occasions.

The new symptom of “chemical smells” generated by air filters when hot temperature (trim air valve open) is selected is reported to be “work in progress” by EAT management, with the implementation of new models of filters planned before winter.

So far, no chemical/silicon smells have been reported by crews as an immediate threat to flight safety, we only received two (verbal) reports of throat and eyes irritation. The long term impact on health is under investigation.

Please continue to forward your ASRs on both oil and chemical smells to your flight crew representatives. Oil smells could also occasionally arise on A300s, causes being oil overfill or a deteriorating engine.

With our best regards,

The BeCA EAT Pilot Board