Aircraft General Knowledge

Engines
Lesson 22: The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
• Generates pressurised air and electrical power
to allow an aircraft to operate independently of
ground support equipment.
• Can provide back-up power in the event of in-
flight engine failure.
• Can provide high pressure air to start an
engine.
• Provides air for cabin pressurisation and
conditioning on the ground.
The Auxiliary Power Unit
The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
• Is often a critical element of the
certification for Extended Twin Operations,
ETOPS.
• Is started by a small electric starter motor
powered from the aircraft’s main batteries.
• Is usually in the rear fuselage so that its
exhaust presents no danger to passengers,
crew and ground staff.
APU Location
APU Location

Unpressurised
Area
APU Principle of Operation
APU Operation
• Apart from starting and shut-down, APU
operation is almost entirely automatic.
• Internal sensors monitor the unit and shut
it down in the event of a number of
indications.
• Some aircraft have an external control
panel to allow ground crew to start and run
the unit from the outside.
 APU Operation
• Internal sensors monitor the unit and shut it down in
the event of:
• Fire warning.
• Excessive exhaust gas temperature.
• Low oil pressure.
• High oil temperature.
• Airspeed and/or altitude limits are exceeded.
• APU overspeed (110%).
• High bleed air temperature.
APU Start and Control
No hydraulic pressure
supply