ICAO CIRCULAR 344 PDF

The scope of the guidance is limited to reporting, as well as education and training of flight crew, cabin crew and AMT to enable them to prevent, recognize and respond to the presence of fumes, particularly aircraft air supply system-sourced engine or auxiliary power unit (APU) oil or hydraulic fluid fumes. Operators may already be addressing content similar to the education and training material presented in this circular as part of their existing programmes. In such cases, operators may conduct a gap analysis based on the content of this circular and determine which additional elements should be included to enhance education, training and reporting related to fume events.

This circular does not address occupational health issues; nor does it address on-board exposure to smoke or fire. The circular neither replaces nor supersedes existing national regulations.

PURPOSE

This circular provides guidance to States to support the development of relevant advisory material for operators to provide suitable awareness and/or training to flight crew, cabin crew and AMT to enable them to prevent, recognize and respond to the presence of fumes, particularly aircraft air supply system-sourced fumes. The content of this circular is intended to complement relevant national regulatory requirements.

There may be implications to flight safety from exposure to oil or hydraulic fluid fumes sourced to the aircraft air supply system if crew members are either impaired or incapacitated during a flight. Therefore, there is an expected flight safety benefit to preventing the occurrence of fume events or reducing occupant exposure to fumes should they occur. Each aviation professional group (i.e. flight crew members, cabin crew members, AMT) has a specific role in recognizing and responding to fumes, particularly to those that are air supply system-sourced. Most of the recommended guidance included in this circular is role-specific. However, basic education regarding oil or hydraulic fluid fumes contaminating the aircraft air supply system is recommended for all stakeholders, including the operator’s relevant management personnel.