IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)

CHAPTER 49, PART 1

APU HONEYWELL GTCP 131-9A

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 1 Apr, 11

Version 3.0
 IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)

Table of Content
GENERAL DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................................ 3
1. ENGINE ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. OIL ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
3. FUEL....................................................................................................................................................................... 3
4. AIR ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
5. IGNITION AND STARTING ........................................................................................................................................ 4
6. CONTROL AND MONITORING .................................................................................................................................. 4
7. AC GENERATOR ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
APU CONTROLS............................................................................................................................................................. 5
1. GENERAL................................................................................................................................................................ 5
2. OVERHEAD PANEL ................................................................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Master Switch ............................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Start Pushbutton ........................................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 APU Fire Push Button .................................................................................................................................. 5
3. EXTERNAL POWER CONTROL PANEL...................................................................................................................... 6
3.1 APU Shut Off Pushbutton ............................................................................................................................. 6
3.2 APU Fire Light ............................................................................................................................................. 6
APU ECAM PAGE........................................................................................................................................................... 7
1. GENERAL................................................................................................................................................................ 7
2. EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURE (EGT) .................................................................................................................... 7
3. SPEED ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7
4. FLAP OPEN ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
5. AVAIL................................................................................................................................................................... 7
6. APU GENERATOR .................................................................................................................................................. 7
7. APU BLEED ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
8. FUEL LOW PRESS (FUEL LO PR) ........................................................................................................................ 11
9. LOW OIL LEVEL ................................................................................................................................................... 11

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 2 Apr, 11

Version 3.0
 IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)

APU – GTCP 131-9A

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The APU is a Model GTCP 131-9A manufactured and designed by Garret. The APU, installed in
the fuselage tail cone in a fire proof compartment, is an independent source of pneumatic and
electrical power. It can be used in flight and on ground.

1. Engine

The APU is a constant speed gas turbine engine which drives a load compressor and an
accessory gearbox. The engine is composed of: - a single stage centrifugal compressor, - a
reverse flow annular combustion chamber, - a two stage axial flow turbine. The combustion
chamber is equipped with 10 fuel nozzles and one ignitor plug.

2. Oil

The Oil system is monitored by the Electronic Control Box which receives temperature, pressure
and quantity signals. The self contained oil system lubricates, cleans and cools the APU bearings
and accessory gearbox. The oil is also used to cool and lubricate the gearbox

3. Fuel

The APU is supplied with fuel from either the fuel feed system pump or the fuel tank pumps,
according to the pressure sensed in the APU fuel feed line. The Fuel Control Unit (FCU) is the
main component of the fuel system. The Electronic Control Box (ECB) computes the fuel/air ratio,
corresponding to the APU load, and meters the fuel flow accordingly. Fuel pressure is also used as
muscle pressure to operate the load compressor Inlet Guide Vane (IGV) actuator and the Surge
Control Valve (SCV).

4. Air

The main role of the air system is to supply bleed air to the pneumatic system and for Main Engine
Start. This is supplied by the load compressor. The APU bleed air system includes a bleed valve, a
flow regulation by means of Inlet Guide Vanes and a surge protection. Control and operation of
these components are controlled by the Electronic Control Box. Independently of the bleed air
system, air from a gearbox driven fan is used to cool the APU oil and to ventilate the APU
compartment.

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 3 Apr, 11

Version 3.0
 IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)

Figure 1 - APU

5. Ignition and Starting

The APU start sequence is initiated from the cockpit and is controlled by the Electronic Control
Box. During starting, the electrical starter motor drives the APU and initial combustion is seconded
by the ignition system.

6. Control and Monitoring

The APU engine control system has manual and automatic controls to start, shutdown and keep
the APU in safe limits during operation. The Electronic Control Box (ECB) which controls and
monitors the APU operation, is of the Full Authority Digital Electronic Controller (FADEC) type. The
ECB has built in test equipment used for the power up test and the monitoring test. The ECB also
acts as interface between the aircraft and the APU. The ECB receives the APU Data and sends
main parameters to the ECAM system. The parameters and the indications displayed on the APU
ECAM page are:

 Speed(N) and Exhaust Gas Temperature(EGT).

 Bleed pressure, Inlet flap position, Low Oil level and low fuel pressure.

 The APU AC Generator load, voltage and frequency, through the electrical power system.

7. AC Generator

An oil cooled APU Generator (90 KVA) can supply the aircraft electrical network. The APU AC
generator, driven by the accessory gearbox, uses the APU shaft power to transform mechanical
power into electrical power which is used by the aircraft systems.

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 4 Apr, 11

Version 3.0
 IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)
APU CONTROLS

1. General

Normal control of the APU is carried out from the APU control panel located in the cockpit.
Emergency shut down can be performed on ground from outside the aircraft.

2. Overhead Panel

2.1 Master Switch

The master switch pushbutton when pressed in, controls the power supply for APU operation
and protection. A normal shutdown sequence is initiated when the master switch is released
out. The ON light comes on blue when the Master switch P/B is pressed in and the APU
page appears on the ECAM system display. The FAULT light comes on amber and the
corresponding warnings are activated when an automatic shutdown occurs.

2.2 Start Pushbutton

The start pushbutton initiates the APU start sequence. The ON light comes on blue until 95%
N (RPM). The AVAIL light comes on green above 95% N (RPM).

2.3 APU Fire Push Button

When the APU fire pushbutton is released out, an APU emergency shutdown is initiated.

Figure 2 - APU Controls Overhead Panel

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 5 Apr, 11

Version 3.0
 IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)

3. External Power Control Panel

3.1 APU Shut Off Pushbutton

An APU emergency shutdown can be performed using the APU SHUT OFF pushbutton
located on the external power control panel, next to the nose landing gear. Operation of the
APU SHUT OFF pushbutton cancels the ground horn.

3.2 APU Fire Light

The APU FIRE red light comes on when a fire is detected on ground and is accompanied by
the ground horn. (APU shutdown and Auto extinguishing in this case).

Figure 3 - External Power Control

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 6 Apr, 11

Version 3.0
 IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)

APU ECAM PAGE

1. General

The APU indications are displayed on the lower ECAM page. This page is called manually or
automatically during APU start.

2. Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT)

The Exhaust Gas Temperature is displayed green in normal configuration. This includes the
pointer symbol and digital indication. It pulses in advisory mode. It becomes red in case of over-
temperature. A movable red line is computed by the ECB. The red EGT limit value is different
during APU starting and when APU becomes available (Position is dependent of T2 APU inlet
temperature).

3. Speed

The speed indication is displayed in green. It becomes amber or red in case of overspeed.

4. Flap Open

The green FLAP OPEN indication is displayed when the air intake flap is fully open. No indication
is displayed otherwise.

The FLAP OPEN displays are as follows:

 FLAP OPEN displayed steady: Air intake flap fully open with the MASTER SW pushbutton
set to ON.

 FLAP OPEN displayed pulsing: Air intake flap not fully closed 3 minutes after the
MASTER SW pushbutton has been set to OFF.

5. AVAIL

When the APU is running, a green APU AVAILable indication appears on the upper ECAM page.
The green AVAILable indication is displayed when the APU speed is above 95%. Nothing is
displayed otherwise.

6. APU Generator

The APU electrical generator output is displayed as shown in Figure 5. The APU generator
parameters are displayed amber in case of overload, or if voltage or frequency are out of range.

7. APU Bleed

The APU BLEED indication is displayed in green on the upper ECAM memo page during APU
BLEED supply. The APU bleed pressure indication is replaced by amber crosses when the
indication is not available.

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 7 Apr, 11

Version 3.0
 IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)

Figure 4 - Control Display (diagram 1)

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 8 Apr, 11

Version 3.0
 IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)

Figure 5 - Control Display (diagram 2)

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 9 Apr, 11

Version 3.0
 IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)

Figure 6 - Control Display (diagram 3)

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 10 Apr, 11

Version 3.0
 IAE V2500 ENGINE COURSE (PART 2)

8. Fuel Low Press (FUEL LO PR)

The FUEL LO PR indication is displayed when the pressure upstream from the fuel control unit is
too low. The amber FUEL LO PR message is displayed when the fuel pressure in the APU fuel
feed line is below 15 PSI.

9. Low Oil Level

The green LOW OIL LEVEL indication pulses when the oil in the gearbox reaches the low level
and needs servicing. If the oil quantity decreases below 4,60 litres, the indication pulses on the
APU ECAM page (value is determined for A/C ground condition and varies when the A/C is flying).

{Chapter 49 part 1} Chapter 49, Part 1, Page 11 Apr, 11

Version 3.0