Guide To Recalibrating Aircraft Servicing Gauges

From small regional airports to massive airline hubs, service cart gauge calibration regulations are often necessary, especially when servicing nitrogen and oxygen carts. We're explaining why recalibrating aircraft servicing gauges is so important and how to establish servicing unit calibration standards for employees.

The Importance Of Recalibrating Aircraft Servicing Gauges

Pressure gauges for oxygen and nitrogen carts 12 months or older are often prone to out-of-tolerance conditions. As with any piece of equipment, costly issues can arise from operating aircraft servicing equipment that is past its recalibration date. This can include danger to personnel, damage to the aircraft, or removal or quarantine of the aircraft servicing equipment in question. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regularly conducts aircraft support equipment inspections. If ground support equipment (GSE) doesn't adequately meet the guidelines or has expired calibration certifications, you may be fined or worse — your service cart may be removed from service altogether.

It can be tricky to know when to recalibrate aircraft servicing gauges. The FAA has no exact timetable or calibration cycle dates for nitrogen and oxygen carts, or their regulators and booster (intensifier) systems for that matter. But in general, gauge calibration life cycles are 6 to 12 months. By properly recalibrating airplane service carts, you can minimize the risk of out-of-tolerance conditions and bring them back down to acceptable levels. If no standards are provided or exist for your airplane service cart, use the standards recommended by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

Keep in mind that the degradation of oxygen and nitrogen gauges is inevitable over their lifetime. But you can ensure accurate gauge readings through periodic professional calibration.

How to Put Service Cart Standards in Place

To ensure employees are servicing and recalibrating both oxygen tank cartand nitrogen service cart gauges, you'll need to put standards and regular recalibration plans in place. The best way to establish the right gauge recalibration frequency standard is to check the servicing cart manual or the literature provided by the OEM. This will allow you to determine the stability of the gauge and better adhere to the standards put forth by your organization and GSE manufacturer. At the end of the day, it is up to the end-user of the aircraft oxygen service cart or nitrogen cart system to best determine the appropriate calibration interval, taking into account quality management systems and preventive maintenance schedules.

It's important to note that while the cost to conduct regular recalibration is relatively inexpensive, it can sometimes surpass the cost of simply purchasing new calibration-certified gauges. For this reason, many customers opt to purchase new oxygen or nitrogen gauges instead of recalibrating their current gauges.

Aircraft Servicing Equipment Available From Tronair

If it's time to purchase a new nitrogen servicing cart or aircraft oxygen cart, we have an unparalleled selection of premium aircraft servicing equipment to choose from. The following are just a few of the airplane service cart models available from Tronair. Let us help you find the right nitrogen or oxygen cart for your needs. Reach out for a quote today.

Nitrogen Carts

Nitrogen is crucial to safe and reliable air travel. The unreactive gas is used to inflate aircraft tires as oxygen can often react negatively with inflight rubber. Our selection of aircraft nitrogen service tools includes low-profile transport carts with easy-to-use instrument panels available with and without boosters. Plus, each nitrogen tank cart comes with a safety limit switch that automatically shuts the unit off when the aircraft reaches the set pressure.

Aircraft Oxygen Servicing Carts

Aircraft oxygen systems help ensure that oxygen can properly enter an aircraft cabin. Aircraft oxygen servicing equipment aides in this process. Each oxygen tank cart is low-profile and includes an easy-to-use instrument panel with or without boosters. And just like our aircraft nitrogen service cart, our oxygen cart features a safety limit switch that will automatically shut off once the aircraft reaches the required pressure. Looking for something a little more versatile that can transport both oxygen and nitrogen tanks? Our nitrogen bottle cart can easily hold any 9-inch 3,500-psi, high-pressure tank.

Let Tronair Help Keep Your GSE Fleet In Tip-Top Condition

With over 100 years of experience in creating quality ground support equipment, you can trust Tronair to provide durable and reliable aircraft servicing equipment to keep your GSE fleet in peak condition. From aircraft oxygen servicing equipment to portable tank rack carts, we carry everything you need to properly service an aircraft. Contact us today for more information about our range of products and system solutions.

RELATED ARTICLES: RECALIBRATING AIRCRAFT SERVICING GAUGES

GUIDE TO INSPECTING AND PREVENTING TYPES OF AIRCRAFT CORROSION Aircraft corrosion is an ongoing challenge for aircraft owners. It can deteriorate the structure of the aricraft and parts, often leading to dangerous hazards and expensive repairs. What's more, there's no real way to reverse corrosion once it sets in. And if left untreated, it can make an aircraft virtually inoperable in just a matter of years...

HOW AN AIRPORT GROUND CREW CAN PREPARE FOR SERIOUS STORMS The aviation industry is heavily reliant on the weather. While aircraft can function in most environments and situations, some weather conditions pose a real threat to the safety of passengers, airport ground crew and aircraft ground support equipment (GSE). Thunderstorms, in particular, are some of the most dangerous situations in aviation...

AIRPLANE LANDING GEAR MAINTENANCE GUIDE While aircraft landing gear is extremely durable and rugged, it's not immune to wear and tear. An airplane's landing gear is extremely vulnerable to corrosion and damage, which can lead to a reduced lifespan and increased costs. Because of this, it's important for aircraft technicians to keep landing gear in good condition through...