What Is an Apu on a Jet

Description. An Auxiliary Power Unit or APU allows an aircraft to operate autonomously without reliance on ground support equipment such as a ground power unit, an external air-conditioning unit or a high pressure air start cart.

Why do planes have APUs?

The APU serves to provide the aircraft with electricity on the ground and to enable the supply of compressed air to the cabin and the use of the air conditioning system. Also, the APU is used to start the aircraft engines themselves.

Is an APU an engine?

The auxiliary power unit (APU) is a small gas turbine engine mounted in the tail cone of an aircraft to provide autonomous electrical and mechanical power for the following: Starting power for the main engines. Pneumatic power for cabin air conditioning systems.

Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance

Cybersecurity & Digital Privacy Researcher

Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.

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