ARP6986 Preconditioned Air (PCA) Unit Air Quality, Humidity Management, and Cabin Connection
Current
9/11/2026
- Content
- The provisions of this SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) cover minimum performance requirements and design parameters for preconditioned air (PCA) devices supplying air to the aircraft cabin. It identifies the need for interim and future performance improvement for ground equipment delivery systems, to meet industry requirements for reducing airborne compounds or particulates (“source types”) in the aircraft cabin and flight deck. This ARP will guide SAE, IATA, airline operators, and airframe and PCA manufacturers to meet new requirements. This ARP defines:
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Minimum performance and maintenance requirements for filtration, hose assemblies, operations, and maintenance.
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Level of humidity supplied by the ground equipment to the aircraft cabin.
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Minimum performance and maintenance requirements for digital communication of cabin parameters between the cabin and the PCA.
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Installation of the sensor unit within the aircraft cabin. The data collected by these sensors is not intended to assess impacts on aircraft occupant health and shall not be used to make a finding of airworthiness.
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- Citation
- SAE International Recommended Practice, Preconditioned Air (PCA) Unit Air Quality, Humidity Management, and Cabin Connection, SAE Standard ARP6986, Current September 2026, .