TheSamba.com :: View topic - Commercial airplanes use old VW "Stale Air Heater" approach

Thu Dec 17, 2020 2:03 pm

"Stale Air" heating isn't just for old VWs, it turns out.

https://www.latimes.com/projects/toxic-chemicals-planes-covid-19-travel-woes/

Quote: The air you breathe on airplanes comes directly from the jet engines. Known as bleed air, it is safe, unless there is a mechanical issue — a faulty seal, for instance. When that happens, heated jet engine oil can leak into the air supply, potentially releasing toxic gases into the plane.

Sound familiar?!

Thu Dec 17, 2020 2:42 pm

Use some common sense people. This is alarmist bullshit

Thu Dec 17, 2020 3:23 pm

Indeed, obviously written by someone who has no idea how these systems work and couldn't bother to do some research, just focused on making it sound like an evil conspiracy to get clicks.

I'd be more concerned about the exhaust fumes in the jetway you sometimes smell while boarding if the wind is right. :P

Thu Dec 17, 2020 3:44 pm

Zundfolge1432 wrote: Use some common sense people. This is alarmist bullshit
Isn't the LA Times based in California?

'nuff said.

News flash, life is terminal.

Thu Dec 17, 2020 4:28 pm

I’ve worked packs on 727,757,MD80, Fokker F100. I’m telling you it’s bullshit. I also changed those big hepa filters. If I still had access to Boeing manuals I could show you but sadly I’ve left it all behind. Actually not sadly I’m enjoying retirement 😀

Thu Dec 17, 2020 6:38 pm

busdaddy wrote: . . . I'd be more concerned about the exhaust fumes in the jetway you sometimes smell while boarding if the wind is right. :P
Hey yeah, I've noticed that smell, too! And more than once. I don't know if it was exhaust fumes or not, but it was definitely something that made me feel like I was flying Auschwitz Airlines.

Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:08 pm

Before I worked ATC I worked on the ramp for over 10 years. I should probably be dead from all the exhaust fumes. I'm not too concerned about fumes inside the airplanes. Just sounds like whoever wrote that article doesn't like airplanes. They are killing all the narwhals after all.

Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:29 pm

You want something to worry about? Worry about the potable water used to wash your hands and make the coffee, or if you are dumb enough to drink water out of a cup they bring you. The water in those tanks is filthy despite the periodic cleaning regimen. It got so bad people became sick.

Always ask for bottled water and don’t drink the coffee. Your plane uses whatever municipal water is available, you are at the tender mercies of ramp workers I.E. bag apes dragging filthy hoses across the ramp to service the tank. On top of that not all water sources are clean. On a typical day your plane on domestic routes makes 4 or 5 scheduled flights and each time they top off the tank with more water. Same guy that serviced the turd tank is now topping off that tank, did he wash his hands? Years ago early in my career I had the opportunity to see inside a tank because of a malfunctioning level indicator. I was horrified at the shit growing in there. Maybe it’s gotten better since then maybe not.

Be worried about an onboard fire that breaks out in the cargo hold because some dickhead transported something restricted. Fire suppression is now installed but who knows you might become a lawn dart anyway.😀 your irrational fears amuse me.

Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:39 pm

Just for the record those stinky fumes that upset your delicate sensibilities are the smell of kerosene. Jet A is highly refined and actually a pretty clean fuel. The gas and oil in your antique VWs are worse for your health.

Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:57 pm

I was a "bag ape" for many years. I serviced the potable water on about a million flights.

I don't know about every airline or station, but it isn't exactly like you said Zund.

First, the guy servicing the lavs absolutely does not touch the potable water. Ever. He doesn't touch any part of the airplane or anyone's bags. The lav driver only touches the lav hatches, nothing else.

Yes, the water comes from a hose, but there are protective caps and rubber doughnut that prevent the actual connector from touching the ground.

The tanks are drained every day. So, yes, they get "topped off" at each station, but they are drained empty each night.

I wouldn't be anymore scared of airplane water that any other water that comes out of a tap. But that's me. To each their own.

Oh, and I've never seen any drinking water served to passengers ever come out of the potable water tank. It always comes from bottles. Big ones to fill pitchers, small ones to pass out.

Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:01 pm

Gee, I was just trying to make a funny about stale air VWs!
:shock:

Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:26 am

Pruneman99 wrote:
I don't know about every airline or station, but it isn't exactly like you said Zund.

agreed^^^

the FDA has a team specifically designated to the safety of this. they'll shut down the whole show if it isn't up to snuff.

how do i know this? my wife is the one who recently updated the guidelines for it

Fri Dec 18, 2020 4:43 am

Airlines always seem to attract a large number of ignorant haters , yet it is the only six sigma service industry you will likely encounter in your life

To all those who service ground, plane, and customers who fly, a hearty Happy Holidays from this overtravelled wanker.

Special thanks to the nastiest job on the business....GateAgent

Fri Dec 18, 2020 7:02 am

Lots of small single engine aircraft us a cabin heating duct very similar to the old VW stale air system to this day. It works just fine. I guarantee you will get more fumes on the drive to the airport from being in the traffic than you will ever get in the air. The fumes coming off the current SUVs and pickup trucks is atrocious!! I can taste it when one passes me on the highway or when following one up a hill.

That article by the way is pure and simple FICTION! The guy should be writing sensational murder novels not news!

Fri Dec 18, 2020 7:51 am

You’d be amazed at what goes on at smaller stations. There is a face put on for regulators and the public. Towards the end of 1990s is when these operations got a closer look because of bacteria and contamination in the water. We used Puregene which is a diluted bleach to try and clean the systems but even this supposes the person doing it has followed the directions, human nature being what it is oh well. I worked above the wing and below so I got to see both sides for over 25 years. Because of cost cutting and mergers and outsourcing oversight has lagged. Can you also vouch for South American traffic? Again the conditions in smaller foreign stations are very different from what you’d think. It’s fun to hide your head and think it’s all hunky dory but you’d be better served to watch yourself and keep an eye on that hygiene.

I got a bag handler story for you. Tyler started with the airline in 1966. Just a young guy and in addition to his normal duties he unloaded bodies coming back from Vietnam. He told me it stressed him and he began drinking at work. Then out of boredom they started going through the luggage looking only for illegal drugs or prescription drugs they could pilfer small amounts. They kept a PDR in the break room to help identify what they found. If they couldn’t identify they would take turns eating one or two to gauge the effects. It came to be Tyler’s turn and he ate a couple. About an hour later he shit his pants as it turned out to be laxative. Technology and common sense finally put an end to this type behavior when management demonstrated new surveillance cameras. Great guy he finally quit drinking became a licensed mechanic and got to enjoy retirement. He was actually a role model to us younger guys.

There are the things you see and the face that’s put on for public relations and often it does not match what’s really going on behind the scenes. I’ll leave it there. 😀

Fri Dec 18, 2020 9:13 am

after watching Air Disasters (every episode) on the Smithsonian channel...I'll never fly again.

Fri Dec 18, 2020 9:26 am

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: after watching Air Disasters (every episode) on the Smithsonian channel...I'll never fly again.
I quit watching dash cam videos on You Tube because if I continued I would never drive again! I also stopped following poles and election speeches or I would have been so disillusioned as to never vote again! If you took to heart every "Doctor's" report on Face Book there would be nothing left to eat!

Pick your poison!

Fri Dec 18, 2020 10:02 am

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: after watching Air Disasters (every episode) on the Smithsonian channel...I'll never fly again.

Lol, me too I”m scared shitless now 😀 I like Smithsonian as well especially the Aerial America series.

Fri Dec 18, 2020 10:08 am

oprn wrote: skills@eurocarsplus wrote: after watching Air Disasters (every episode) on the Smithsonian channel...I'll never fly again.
I quit watching dash cam videos on You Tube because if I continued I would never drive again! I also stopped following poles and election speeches or I would have been so disillusioned as to never vote again! If you took to heart every "Doctor's" report on Face Book there would be nothing left to eat!

Pick your poison!

Spot on X2

Fri Dec 18, 2020 10:08 am

Also, keep in mind many short-haul "affiliates" that fly the main carrier's tail logo are held to different (much lower) standards for safety, training and maintenance.