Cryptocurrency Q&A
Can a plane fly with no APU?
Can a plane fly with no APU?
alexander_watson_astronaut
Tue Jul 23 2024
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6 answers
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Inquiring minds may wonder: Could an aircraft successfully embark on its journey despite lacking an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)? The APU, typically a small gas turbine engine, provides electrical and pneumatic power to the aircraft while it's on the ground and its main engines are not running. It's crucial for starting the main engines, powering avionics, and maintaining cabin comfort. But, could a plane potentially circumvent this dependency? Are there contingency measures that allow for take-off and flight without an APU? The question begs for an exploration of the technical intricacies and operational contingencies that may enable such a feat.
6 answers
Bianca
Thu Jul 25 2024
One such exception is for flights involving two-engined aircraft. In such cases, the presence of an APU is often deemed necessary for added safety measures.
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DiamondStorm
Thu Jul 25 2024
Another exception arises for long-haul flights over water or terrain without an alternate airport. These flights, commonly referred to as ETOPS (Extended Twin Operations) flights, require additional reliability and redundancy.
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HanbokGlamourQueenElegance
Thu Jul 25 2024
ETOPS stands for Extended Twin Operations, which signifies flights where twin-engined aircraft operate over vast distances with limited access to diversion airports.
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JejuSunshine
Thu Jul 25 2024
During such ETOPS flights, if an engine malfunctions, the aircraft must be able to continue flying safely for a significant period of time with just one engine. The APU can play a crucial role in this scenario.
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Claudio
Thu Jul 25 2024
In general, aircraft are permitted to operate without an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). However, there are certain exceptions to this rule.
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