How Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Works in Aircraft?
Regardless of whether you’re a novice in the aviation industry or well versed in the mechanics of the industry, it’s worth knowing about the APU, or auxiliary power unit, in an aircraft. Put simply, the APU acts as an extra source of power for the main engines on a business jet or airliner. Equipped with an additional electrical generator, the APU is designed to produce sufficient fuel for the aircraft’s galley electrics, cockpit avionics, onboard lighting and more. It is also manufactured to heat up and cool down the aircraft by way of drawing bleed air from its own compressor.
An APU is an essential part of the aircraft because it helps the aircraft save fuel, as well as, maintenance costs. When passengers are boarding the plane, the APU helps in that it negates the need for the pilot to ramp up the main engine. Once passengers have boarded the aircraft and it is ready for takeoff, the pilot can then shut down the APU and reignite it when the aircraft clears the runway after landing. In any event of an electrical emergency, the aircraft will be used as an alternative power source.
You might hear some people refer to the APU as an extra engine, but this is not quite true. While it is a small turbine engine that is installed near the rear of the fuselage, calling it an “engine” would be inaccurate due to the fact that the APU’s turbine exhaust is vented overboard. The actual force that is used to propel the aircraft forward would be a force propelled by the main engine.
The APU serves a very beneficial role for the aircraft as well as for its passengers. During the hot months in Florida and other humid regions, the pilots place top priority in using the APU for the comfort of crew and passengers. Before boarding, pilots will ensure that the Auxiliary Power Unit is given half an hour minimum to drive the environmental electrical packs to cool the cabin down. One con of the APUs is the noise that it can produce. In some regions, there are actually laws set in place that forbid the operation of APUs at night so as no to disturb nearby neighborhoods.
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