Airplanes are among the greatest man-made inventions. But, it appears that not many people have an idea of the type of support an aircraft needs in terms of infrastructural provisions on the ground. They need an external source of power when they are deployed on the ground.
What are Aircraft GPUs (Ground Power Units)?
An Aircraft Ground Power Unit, also commonly known as a GPU, is a piece of equipment that supplies electrical power to the aircraft if the aircraft’s engines are not functioning. These units offer electric power to the airplane’s subsystem if the airplane is on the ground, if it is refueling, or if there are people in the process of boarding the aircraft. Without GPUs, planes would have to rely on their inbuilt systems, which is very inefficient and expensive.
Why Don’t Planes Use Their Engines on the Ground?
Aircraft are already armed with powerful engines to fly in the sky to perform their mission. Operating an aircraft engine is a costly affair. It consumes a lot of fuel, and this is not limited to the time when the plane is being used. In addition, engines are not built to run on the ground all the time. They are designed for flight. Applying them on the ground would also make them deteriorate faster and, in the process, necessitate more frequent maintenance.
Keeping Aircraft Systems Running
Cockpit controls and instruments, lighting, air conditioning, and other electrical accessories need constant power. The passengers require comfort as they board, while the crew requires all to be in working order before the take-off. In simple terms, if GPUs were not available, airplanes would have to start their engines in order to operate such systems. Not only would this be time-consuming and loud, but it would also emit unnecessary amounts of carbon dioxide.
Supporting Maintenance and Repairs
Planes are always checked for one reason or another, whether it is a daily check or a more rigorous check like an overhaul. During these checks, the technicians are required to get to different parts of the onboard systems. They have to check avionics, hydraulics, and even the entertainment systems that are provided on plane flights. For these tasks, they require a stable power source that is available in the aircraft. That is where GPUs are able to prove useful. It is important to supply the constant source of power needed by maintenance crews in order to do their job without having to turn on the plane’s engines.
Environmental and Cost Benefits
Utilization of GPUs presents one of the main benefits of environmental impacts. Aircraft are very fuel intensive, particularly if you consider the fuel that is used by the engines during ground movement. This way, airlines can cut down on their carbon emissions. Ground power units use electricity or any other less dangerous type of fuel. This makes them much more fuel efficient than using the engines of the aircraft during a flight.
Safety and Reliability
The safety of people is a paramount consideration especially when it comes to aviation industries. GPUs are useful in increasing the safety and reliability of aircraft. GPUs ensure that all the systems in the plane are working correctly when the plane has not even left the gate. This is especially true for cockpit systems, where complex and automatic systems control every aspect of the aircraft. Pilots use their instruments to keep track of almost everything, ranging from fuel to weather, among others.
Conclusion
Ground Power Units (GPUs) are crucial in the aviation industry. They supply the required power to planes where they are grounded, supplying power to control systems so that they do not consume fuel. The role of GPUs cannot be overemphasized, as they have to ensure that airplanes are fit for the skies for maintenance, pre-flight checks, and passengers’ comfort.
