An aircraft air conditioning unit (ACU) is a ground cart that blows cooled or heated air into a parked aircraft through a duct hose, so the cabin and avionics stay at a safe temperature without the APU. Victory GSE sells and leases used ACUs from brands such as TLD, Trilectron, TUG and Stewart & Stevenson. Every unit shown below is in stock in Los Angeles. Request a quote for pricing and lease terms.
Aircraft Air Conditioners
Air Conditioning Units for Sale: Cooling & Heating Ground Support Equipment
How Aircraft ACU Capacity Is Rated
ACU capacity is rated in tons of cooling, a measure of how much heat the unit removes per hour. Small carts serve light aircraft. Tronair’s diesel cart, for example, is rated at 45,000 BTU per hour, or 4 tons (Tronair, 2026). Larger airliners need far more capacity. Airflow matters too, because the unit must push enough air through the duct hose to reach the whole cabin.
| Capacity class | Where it generally fits | Brands in our inventory |
|---|---|---|
| 15 to 20 tons | Business jets and regional aircraft | Trilectron |
| 55 to 65 tons | Single-aisle airliners | TLD, Trilectron |
| 110 tons | Larger and wide-body aircraft | TLD |
Capacities above are from our current listings. Confirm the requirement for each aircraft type before you buy.
Diesel-Driven vs. Electric ACUs
A diesel-driven ACU carries its own engine and works anywhere on the ramp. An electric ACU plugs into gate or facility power and runs with no engine exhaust. Some models, such as the Trilectron DAC200, come in electric or diesel versions. Before you buy an electric unit, check its input voltage and phase against your gate supply.
Many airports now install fixed preconditioned air at gates with help from the FAA’s VALE program, which had funded 141 projects at 58 airports as of October 2023 (FAA, 2023). Mobile ACUs still cover remote stands, hangars and gates without fixed air.
Cooling and Heating in One Unit
Most ACUs in our inventory are combined air conditioning and heating systems. One unit covers summer cooling and winter cabin heat, which cuts the number of carts on the ramp. Tronair notes that smaller carts can also cool or heat an aircraft through a door or window opening (Tronair).
What to Check on a Used ACU
- Rated tonnage and airflow against each aircraft’s requirement.
- Hose diameter, length and aircraft connection for your fleet.
- Power source: diesel engine, or electric input voltage at your gates.
- Heating option, if you operate through cold seasons.
The FAA’s Advisory Circular 00-34B covers safe ground servicing around parked aircraft, including ground air.
Buy or Lease a Used Aircraft ACU
Buy an ACU for daily gate or hangar use. Lease one for a hot season, a new route or a short-term contract. Victory GSE offers both. Pair it with a ground power unit so the aircraft can keep its APU off at the gate.
Tell us your aircraft types, the season you need cooling or heating and the power available at your gates. We will suggest units from our current listings that fit.
Aircraft Air Conditioning Unit FAQ
What does an aircraft air conditioning unit do?
An aircraft ACU blows cooled or heated air into a parked aircraft through a duct hose. It keeps the cabin and avionics at a safe temperature while the aircraft APU is off.
How many tons of cooling do I need?
Check the aircraft manufacturer’s ground air requirement, then choose a unit with that capacity. Our current inventory ranges from 15 tons to 110 tons of cooling.
Can an ACU also heat an aircraft?
Yes. Most units in our inventory are combined air conditioning and heating systems, so one unit covers hot and cold seasons.
Is a diesel or electric ACU better?
Electric units suit gates and hangars with the right power supply, since they run with no engine exhaust. Diesel units work anywhere on the ramp, including remote stands without power. Some models, like the Trilectron DAC200, come in both versions.
What ACU brands do you carry?
Our current listings include TLD, Trilectron, TUG and Stewart & Stevenson units, from regional-size carts to 110-ton airline units.
Do you lease aircraft air conditioning units?
Yes. Victory GSE offers used ACUs for sale or lease. Call (323) 581-7272 or send a quote request.
Do you ship ACUs outside Los Angeles?
Yes. Our team coordinates delivery to airports, FBOs, MROs and operators across the US and worldwide.