Captain Zaheer Ahmed Khan

Director Flight Operation

Serene Air

I was detailed on ER 550/551 to conduct OPC check on F/O Syed Waqasuddin.

The temperature inside the cockpit was unbearable with PPE donned in total ,
which could lead towards UNSAFE flight. I called Captain Shahid Hussain Chief
Pilot Training and conveyed my observation regarding full items of PPE donned in
an hot environment and requested him to discuss same to the DFO
The telephonic conversation took placed with DFO Captain Zaheer A Khan
regarding observing full PPE donned within the closed environment of the cockpit,
especially during day time where outside temperature reported 35°C and the
temperature inside the cockpit reaches 41°C. What could be body temperature
when full items of PPE is donned?
The body's average core temperature is 37°-38°C. If it heats up to 39-40C, the
brain tells the muscles to slow down, and fatigue sets in. At 40°-41°C, heat
exhaustion is likely, and above 41°C, the body starts to shut down. Chemical
processes start to be affected, the cells inside the body deteriorate, and there is a
risk of multiple organ failure. The body cannot even sweat at this point because
blood flow to the skin stops, making it feel cold and clammy.
Heatstroke, which can occur at any temperature over 40°C, requires professional
medical help and, if not treated immediately, chances of survival can be slim.
PCAA Operational SOP for international and domestic flights
PRE-EMBARKATION

DURING FLIGHT

None of the regulatory bodies such as ICAO EASA WHO on COVID-19 directs
to the States to directs operators for their Flight Crew to put on all item which are
included in the UPK.
Note 1: The content of the UPK is, in accordance with the Attachment B of ICAO
Annex 6 (ICAO, 2020):
• Dry powder that can convert small liquid spill into a sterile granulated gel
• Germicidal disinfectant for surface cleaning
• Skin wipes
• Face/eye mask (separate or combined)
• Gloves (disposable)
• Protective apron or gowns ( NOT COVERALL)
EASA Guidelines – COVID-19

To the greatest extent possible, no ground personnel should be allowed to embark

on the aircraft except for remediation of technical problems or other ground staff
whose presence on board is essential for performing their tasks. When such
personnel is on board, they should be required to wear appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE). Additionally, crew members should take all measures
to minimize direct contact including wearing PPE such as face mask and gloves;
Operators should establish the necessary personnel protection equipment (PPE) for
their crew members, based on the risk of transmission for the respective flight. For
operations into high-risk areas, the operator should equip their aircraft with one or
more UPKs. Additional equipment such as facial masks meeting at least surgical
standards and disposable gloves should be available for the use of suspected
COVID-19 passenger(s) and all crew members;

WHO’s Handbook for the Management of Public Health Events in Air

Transport.

Definition of contacts on board the aircraft

Applying the general definition of a contact 2 to the specific context of an aircraft,
a contact in an aircraft can be identified as follows:
• Any person sitting within 2 meters of the suspected case
• Any travel companions or persons providing care who had close contact with the
suspected case
• Any cabin crew member designated to look after the ill traveller(s), and crew
members serving in the section of the aircraft where the suspected case(s) was
seated. Cockpit crew are not concerned if they have not circulated into the
cabin and come close to the ill traveller(s).
International Civil Aviation Organization on COVID-19
Brief description
Provide harmonized health protection and sanitation considerations applicable to
Flight Crew which can be implemented globally.

Considerations
• Access to the flight deck should be limited to the greatest extent possible.
• Flight crew members should only leave the flight deck for short physiological
breaks and scheduled rest.
• In the case of flight crew at controls displaying symptoms, the operator should
consider whether removal from the flight deck is an appropriate mitigation
within their risk assessment, and should establish procedures to identify whether
a diversion is needed.
• Carriers should ensure that when face masks are worn by the flight crew or
other crew members etc., oxygen masks can be still rapidly placed on the
face, properly secured, sealed, supplying oxygen on demand and flight crew
are provided with the correct guidance on how to do so.
• When leaving flight deck, all items should be stowed, personal items removed,
and flight-deck is ready for cleaning and disinfection.
• Prior to each cockpit crew change, the flight-deck should have been fully
sanitized.
• In-person interactions with the cabin crew should be reduced to a minimum.
• If possible, only one person should be designated to be able to enter cockpit
when necessary.
• Employees should be equipped with PPE based on the risk of exposure (e.g.
type of activity) and the transmission dynamics (e.g. droplet spread). PPE
could include gloves, medical masks, goggles or a face shield, and gowns or
aprons.
• Only one member of the flight crew or technical crew should be allowed to
disembark the aircraft to complete the external inspection, refueling, etc., in
such case direct contact with the ground crew should be avoided.

Means for uniform implementation

• Ensure that these considerations are fully supported by:
• The applicable non-governmental agencies.
• Public health, immigration and customs agencies.
• Civil Aviation Authorities.
 A high degree of collaboration between airport operators and their associated
stakeholder community.
Associated policy, procedures and training are developed to reinforce the
importance of these considerations.
Use the Crew COVID-19 Status Card (PHC Form 1) or a similar one when
appropriate.

Air System Operations

The aircraft manufacturers recommend maximizing total cabin airflow and care
should be taken to avoid blocking air vents (particularly along the floor). These are
general recommendations for cabin air considerations and there may be exceptions
for specific aircraft models. It is strongly recommended that operators consult with
the aircraft OEM for questions specific to an aircraft type.
Ground Operations (before chocks-off and after chocks-in)

• Operations without the air conditioning packs or external pre-conditioned air

(PCA) source should be avoided. External air sources are not processed through
a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. The aircraft APU should be
permitted to be used at the gate to enable the aircraft’s air conditioning system to
be operated, if equivalent filtration from PCA is not available.
• If the aircraft has an air recirculation system, but does not have HEPA filters
installed, reference shall be made to OEM published documents or the OEM
should be contacted to determine the recirculation system setting.
• It is recommended that fresh air and recirculation systems be operated to
exchange the volume of cabin air before boarding considering the following:
For aircraft with air conditioning, run the air conditioning packs (with bleed
air provided by APU or engines) or supply air via external PCA source at least
10 minutes prior to the boarding process, throughout boarding and during
disembarkation.
For aircraft with HEPA filters, run the recirculation system to maximize flow
through the filters.
For aircraft without air condition system, keep aircraft doors open during
turnaround time to facilitate cabin air exchange (passengers’ door, service door
and cargo door).

Flight Operations

• Operate environmental control systems with all Packs in AUTO and

recirculation fans on.
• Valid only if HEPA recirculation air filters are confirmed to be installed.
 • If non-HEPA filters are installed, contact the aircraft OEM for
recommendations on recirculation settings.
• If the aircraft in-flight operating procedure calls for packs to be off for take-
off, the packs should be switched back on as soon as thrust performance
allows.

MEL Dispatch:
• Fully operational air conditioning packs and recirculation fans provide the best
overall cabin ventilation performance. It is recommended to minimize dispatch
with packs inoperative. It is recommended to minimize dispatch with
recirculation fans inoperative for aircraft equipped with HEPA filter.
• Some aircraft have better airflow performance with all outflow valves
operational.

Captain Tariq Khoso

S-1495
Date 09/06/2020