Hi,

 

Just s Quick Question. normally for the 777 are they still using the external power or airlines use the APU to power up the plane ?

 

as I have been noticing lately that most of the airports are not using anymore the external power

 

 

your replies would be really appreciated

 

thank you,

 

Hi,

 

Just s Quick Question. normally for the 777 are they still using the external power or airlines use the APU to power up the plane ?

 

as I have been noticing lately that most of the airports are not using anymore the external power

 

 

your replies would be really appreciated

 

thank you,

 

... interesting question but doesn't it depend on the airport and - isn't it airline specific?

Overall i thought it was more the other way around actually:

Use the APU rather less, whenever external power is available.

But - i might be completely wrong and therefore i'd also very much welcome and appreciate every detailed response as well.

Cheers, Christoph

Depends on the airline, the turnaround time, and many more factors.

I'm no expert, but I would think airports are encouraging external, ground power instead of APUs.  APUs are very noisy, and they use up fuel, so both airlines and the airport authorities have a vested interest in limiting their use.  When I speak of ground power, I think of the units attached to jetways.  I believe the units used at remote stands are as noisy or even more noisy than the APUs themselves.

As far as i know, some airports (more and more ?) request the use of external power instead of APU for environmental purposes (mainly a noise issue i think).

APU usage in US airports is not a concern especially during extreme heat or cold where ground air conditioning isn't that good. As for noise you can't really hear APU'S in a neighborhood in most cases and since noise is considered as a part of the ramp environment its a non issue.

That may be true in the US... but you can still find many recommendations preventing the use of APUs...

Noise and air quality seem to be the main concerns.

 

Vanvouver internation airport : 

http://www.wyle.com/ServicesSolutions/science/EMMA/AcousticandVibrationConsulting/Resources/DocumentLibrary/Documents/NoiseManagementProgramPractices4-10%20Final.pdf

 

Manchester airport :

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/8100FB8EF658808C80257364002D85FA/$File/NoisePlan.pdf

 

Search the word "APU" in these documents.

 

And by searching "airport apu noise" in google, you'll find many more.

This list is interesting : http://www.boeing.com/boeing/commercial/noise/list.page

You'll see some US airports listed with APU operating restrictions : LAX, SFO, BOS, ...

That may be true in the US... but you can still find many recommendations preventing the use of APUs...

Noise and air quality seem to be the main concerns.

 

Vanvouver internation airport : 

http://www.wyle.com/ServicesSolutions/science/EMMA/AcousticandVibrationConsulting/Resources/DocumentLibrary/Documents/NoiseManagementProgramPractices4-10%20Final.pdf

 

Manchester airport :

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/8100FB8EF658808C80257364002D85FA/$File/NoisePlan.pdf

 

Search the word "APU" in these documents.

 

And by searching "airport apu noise" in google, you'll find many more.

This list is interesting : http://www.boeing.com/boeing/commercial/noise/list.page

You'll see some US airports listed with APU operating restrictions : LAX, SFO, BOS, ...

well thank you, actually very interesting articles. so mainly after having a quick look to the provided links major airports are moving toward improving the Fixed electrical Ground Power point (FEGPs) as they call it to fit modern jetliners.

 

from full cold and dark of course the FEGP is used apu for turn around.

so I will keep on using external power with the PMDG 777 X

 

+ 1

At CYUL, money is also a factor.

Some airlines we service don't want to pay the fee to hook up to the gate GPU (or cart if they're at a remote pad) so they run their APU for the whole turnaround time which averages an hour.

 

...personally I think they end up spending more cash in fuel vs the fee but I don't look at their financials so who knows.

 

If the turnaround time is quick (usually with a ferry) it's a waste if time to hook up to ground power.

Some of our gates have INOP GPUs, so there's that too.

 

Sometimes an airline will usually run their APU but if its INOP we have to give them power, air, and a jet start.

 

 

Lots and lots of variables.

Actually, APUs are quite noisy.

 

If you've ever boarded from passenger stairs instead of jetways, you'll know what I mean. :-)

 

At airports where ramp areas are exposed close to nearby neighborhoods, APU noise can be heard outside airport areas, quite clearly. while the jetway power ports don't create any noise.

 

I'm no expert on the matter, but I've heard that at most major Asian airports, you're 'prohibited' from starting the APU more than 30mins before departure, and after GPU/Air conditioning is connected post arrival.

 

B. Regards

Emirates is running the APUs throughout the whole turnarounds as standard procedure.

At my last airline we used ground power if available and exactly 5 mins prior to pushback we started the apu. Its all about saving money. Noise abatement is a biggie too but I haven't seen many limitations do to apu noise.

Emirates is running the APUs throughout the whole turnarounds as standard procedure.

 

I can imagine in that Dubai heat, there is no way the PCA can keep the cabin cool and that's the main reason for running the APU for an extended period here as well.

 

 

Actually, APUs are quite noisy.

 

Depends on the aircraft, but that's definitely true.

 

...particularly in the case of the ERJ, which really makes me want to cry as blood drips from my ears.  If one could imagine the sound of the devil with a terrible whistle, that would be the ERJ APU.

Generally I consider APU noise in common jets worse than engine noise even. Not particularly louder, generally, but worse - jet engines at idle are producing a different kind of noise, APUs are whinier and more tiring.

 

GPUs, the modern diesel models, are not too loud, really. Nowhere near APU loudness. And jetway plugs that take power from the grid are virtually soundless, naturally.