A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 2
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
Fumes smelled prior to gate departure after high pressure air was applied to aircraft with Packs on. Smell dissipated after air was removed. Smell came back strongly on descent. The entire crew was aware of the odor. Don't know the source of the odor or why it occurred. Ground crew may need to wait to be told to apply high pressure air to ducts so flight crew can turn off packs prior per checklist.
During boarding crew smelled an oil type odor coming from [the] air conditioning. It was initially thought the source was the ground high pressure unit needed for ground air start due to APU inop. During taxi-out; takeoff and cruise the smell somewhat dissipated. The odor increased in intensity during descent. The entire crew was aware of the odor.Do not know the source of the odor.
A319 flight crew reported fumes at departure gate which dissipated and returned during descent at destination.