While we all hope that the summer brings some great weather, hot weather can make things in the cabin particularly unpleasant. We regularly see situations where ground temperatures on the ramp continually exceed 30 degrees and sometimes even beyond 40 degrees with the reflective effect of the tarmac.
Hot cabins make things very uncomfortable for the passengers, particularly when there are delays. It also makes it difficult for those of us in both the cockpit and the cabin. Starting a duty period drenched in sweat doesn’t make it easy to then operate the following flights. Our performance and fatigue are considerably impacted when we don’t manage hot cabins together and do everything we can to keep the cabin cool.
We also identify an increase in unruly passenger situations when we take delays and have no effective way to cool the cabin. This places even more strain on the cabin teams, which makes it even more important that we do what we can to manage the situation throughout the summer.
Using the APU and working as a team
The most effective way to cool the cabin on the ground is by using the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). We encourage the cabin and flight deck teams to liaise continually to help keep the cabin at an acceptable temperature, especially when there are delays with passengers in the cabin. Every fleet should have specific guidance on the use of the APU.
It might be that there are restrictions at some airports for use of the APUs, this is where its important to liaise with your Ops Team to help manage the situation. At the end of the day, safety considerations should take priority.
Operating with unserviceable APUs
The Ops Control Team have identified routes that should not be scheduled with an unserviceable APU wherever possible and these have been communicated to all the Fleet Control Teams.
Each Fleet Control Team will continually check the aircraft defect lists for unserviceable APUs. They will notify the handling agents at all affected outstations via SITA message or Email that the APU is unserviceable and that an Air start, Ground Power Unit and Air Conditioning Unit (ACU) will be required for turnaround. They will also follow up via telephone to make sure that the message has been received and that the necessary equipment is available and in place for the aircraft.
The information will always be recorded in the Fleet Control Duty logs to help ensure that nothing is lost in communication. It is a classic example of how we all need to work together to keep things bearable for the cabin and flight deck teams.
Procedures for requesting an ACU
When things get busy, we know that things run more smoothly where there is a clear procedure to follow. This information is provided in a Ground Information Notice that all the relevant staff should have easy access to and is particularly important at our home bases where things can get really busy.
Normally a request for an ACU would come from either Fleet Control, Line Maintenance or the Flight Deck.
Requests for the mobile ACU shall be made to the Apron Base Supervisor who will then contact the local Ground Support Equipment (GSE) equipment to arrange getting the ACU to the aircraft.
If the GSE unit cannot respond to the request, the Ramp Supervisor will be called to help.
The Ground Ops Agent will deliver the ACU to the aircraft in question (make sure to check aircraft type and suitability).
When positioning the ACU to the aircraft, the agent shall park the ACU on the opposite side of the engine that will start on stand, or as per instruction by engineering, ensure that the hose will reach the connection point of the aircraft.
Before connecting the hose to the aircraft, the agent will disconnect the tow hitch from the towing vehicle, and apply the parking brake.
The engineering team then take over to connect and operate the unit at the aircraft side.
When the unit is not required at the aircraft, it will then be switched off and disconnected from the aircraft and only then can the towing vehicle be re-connected to the ACU.
The ACU is then removed from the aircraft side to the parking area by the ground ops agent.
Never underestimate the impact of hot cabins
Hot cabins can have a huge impact on our crews and the passengers. Let’s try and think ahead as much as possible to make things as pleasant as possible for everyone. We know which home bases and outstations where the greatest challenges will occur. Avoid flying aircraft with U/S APUs to outstations where we have minimal options. At home bases, make sure to follow the procedure to keep things organised so everyone knows what should be happening.
Some Final Top Tips
Plan Ahead
- ✅ Check APU restrictions at destination
- ✅ Ask your handler early about GPU/ACU availability
- ✅ Avoid operating with U/S APU to poorly equipped airports
Manage the Heat
- 🛑 Don’t delay cooling – request ground support early
- 🕶️ Close blinds and doors on arrival
- 🔋 Conserve battery power for internal systems
Quick Crew Wins
- 👥 Time boarding to minimize heat load
- 🌬️ Use external fans or cooling kits if available
- 💡 Brief all crew on cooling plan before arrival
Think Human Factors
- 😓 Heat = fatigue, stress, reduced performance
- 🧠 Think clearly and manage pace
- 🛫 Safe operations start on the ground
Final Reminder
- Smart planning keeps your cabin cool and your operation safe. Beat the heat – plan early, act early!
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