What's the smell when starting an APU?
Posted by Deltahal@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 19 comments
Idk if this is the right place to ask but when starting up a plane, there's a sweet kid of slightly fruity??? smell??? after the APU starts up until the first engine starts spinning. I can't for the life of me figure it out, since shouldnt it basically be just carbon di(?)oxide and stuff coming out??
KickHisAssSeaB4SS@reddit
it's the smell of brain tumors in your head finding purchase and feeding.
Deltahal@reddit (OP)
ahh yes this must be it
KickHisAssSeaB4SS@reddit
it's true too.
Hulahulaman@reddit
Jet fuel contains a tiny amount of Benzene. It's a naturally occuring hydrocarbon and has a sweet smell. It's also been linked to leukemia.
If you'd like the sweet smell of carcinogens in your home, consider a Jet-A scented candle.
Jet Fuel 16oz. Scented Candle
Or if you are in the military, JP-8
JP-8 Fuel Scented Candle
Deltahal@reddit (OP)
The benzene would make sense, actually- thanks! I'll stop sniffing it for funsies now, maybe.
gimp2x@reddit
Those candles smell like a janitors closet, not jet fuel
okonom@reddit
The 100LL doesn't even give you lead poisoning, it's a complete ripoff. /s
keb1965@reddit
I thought for sure I was gonna get rickrolled by tapping that link!
Azurehue22@reddit
What the fuck lol
0piumfuersvolk@reddit
Kerosene, aviation fuel is not sulphur-free as far as I know. Perhaps you can smell sulphur dioxides, which can be emitted during start-up when the engine is still burning uncleanly.
Deltahal@reddit (OP)
These tend to be pungent/bad smelling or neutral, and the smell I'm describing is pleasantly sweet- thanks for the suggestion anyway :D
F6Collections@reddit
Teen spirit
Deltahal@reddit (OP)
Ah yes this must be it, thank you!
flywitwings@reddit
The fresh air system in the planes is siphoned from one of the compression stages in the engine, they call it the bleed air system, when you’re on the ground, I don’t think there’s enough fresh air zipping through the engine to avoid some of the fumes. someone here mentioned benzene I think. but yeah, I have a theory that is one of the main contributors to “jet lag”, a full on inflammatory response to the harmful molecules that are being bled through the bleed air system.
flywitwings@reddit
That mixed with the cosmic radiation exposure at those altitudes is probably why breast cancer rates are 4 times higher for women flight attendants women that work on the ground.
I like to think I’m well read, but I’m not “qualified”. But considering that medically “qualified” people are virtually brain washed, that’s not saying much for them either.
Waldron1943@reddit
That must be what the "PU" stands for.
/s...I'll just see myself out...
ZLH-040@reddit
Bravo. You're not going to get the credit you deserve for that one.
murphsmodels@reddit
APUs use the same fuel as the main engines. So you're smelling jet fuel exhaust.
unusual_replies@reddit
Burning fuel