When at the gate, do most airlines use the APU or external air and electric power? What are the advantages of each when compared to the other? I am trying to figure out what do do when at the gate to be realistic.Thanks,RH

When I worked at Delta as a ramp agent, the jets would pull into the gate, shut down their engines, APU would be running, we'd then connect ground power. Once the pilots confirmed good groundpower, then the APU would be shutdown, unless maybe it was a quick turn. Ground air was only used if the APU couldn't supply bleed air. We do the similar thing in the C-130 (unless there isn't any ground power).

When at the gate, do most airlines use the APU or external air and electric power? What are the advantages of each when compared to the other? I am trying to figure out what do do when at the gate to be realistic.Thanks,RH

Probably depends on the airport and available facilities the airline has at its' disposal. Due to the high cost of fuel, most probably hook up to ground power and only use the APU for startup of engines. Jim D.

With the high cost of jet fuel these days, it's my company's policy to connect the ground air and electric on all flights. It used to be that the crews would let the apu run no matter how long they were on the ground,but not these days.

Thanks guys, especially for the real world information. I will change the way I function at the gate with this information in mind.Take care,Robbie

Thanks guys, especially for the real world information. I will change the way I function at the gate with this information in mind.Take care,Robbie

I saw on tv the other day that American Airlines in an effort to save fuel will taxi on one engine also. I'm pretty sure the other engine was started, but they only use thrust from one to taxi.If you get a chance to see the show on CNBC it was call American Airlines. Lots of cockpit shots and other interesting stuff.

Most airlines have implemented that policy. Sometimes the pilots do sometimes they don't. Most of the time when they're taxiing out, they'll start both engines.

Most airlines have implemented that policy. Sometimes the pilots do sometimes they don't. Most of the time when they're taxiing out, they'll start both engines.

I'm sure a passenger also would feel more comfortable if they knew both engines were running prior to takeoff.

Most airlines have implemented that policy. Sometimes the pilots do sometimes they don't. Most of the time when they're taxiing out, they'll start both engines.

Can't taxi unless engines ARE running. Engines are started during the pushback process.Jim D.

I guess I should have stated it clearer. One engine is started during pushback. The flight crew most time will start the second engine before taxi, but they can begin taxi on one engine an start the other on the way to the runway.

I have also implemented the single engine taxi in FS. In FS, the pull to one side can be really strong. Is it the same in real like? It seems like the could just hold the tiller in the opposite direction but wouldn't that case tire wear? Will the tiller revert back to the center position if the pilot lets go?

IMO it must be the unrealistic ground friction that makes you use too much thrust to get going, that might explain why you feel too much of a pull to one side, have to use too much thrust to break free from the mysterious fs reality ground glue

The ground influence on the aircraft in FSX is way to much and is not nearly as strong in real world. When you let go of the tiller it will revert back to home position but this is not under power, it is physics. For Delta/NWA Ground/Air is always used unless the turn around time is less then 45 minutes but that is very rarely the case, thats those Mesaba guys over there : ) The only aircraft that taxi with engines shut down for Delta/NWA is the 747 and this is only after it has landed. All engines are started at the ramp during or after pushback on all aircraft and engine starts while taxing is a big no no due to FOD (Foreign object debris). When the 747 taxis there is normally only 1 engine at idle but I have seen 2 shut down after they land.

IMO it must be the unrealistic ground friction that makes you use too much thrust to get going, that might explain why you feel too much of a pull to one side, have to use too much thrust to break free from the mysterious fs reality ground glue

Oh one more thing when NWA was NWA they used to let the DC-9s thrust reverse out of the gate , not anymore though. It was pretty bad &@($* to be standing there watching these things back themselves up.

Oh one more thing when NWA was NWA they used to let the DC-9s thrust reverse out of the gate , not anymore though. It was pretty bad &@($* to be standing there watching these things back themselves up.

Why did they stop? I have been on a few flights out of DTW where they did power backs. I agree, it is cool.I was on a Delta Connection erj a couple weeks ago (not sure who operates those these days) out of DTW and they did taxi with one engine.

Why did they stop? I have been on a few flights out of DTW where they did power backs. I agree, it is cool.

I can think of a couple of reasons although I'm guessing. 1) Fuel cost/consumption. Why spend money when a pushback is cheaper.2) Saftey. No rear view mirror. Safer to have someone looking ahead than looking back and able to respond quickly.3) Engine wear?Jim D.