Originally Posted by
ElectraII
Hi, there. I haven’t seen how AFM/POH describes the GPM operation, but I guess it is common sense that you shouldn’t leave a gas turbine spinning at several thousand rotation per minute and burning high volatile Jet A1 unattended… I have flown different aircraft models with APUs and it’s always been mandatory that either a Pilot or a trained Technician should remain on board whenever the APU is on.
I guess it depends. I have seen in cold climates the maintenance leaving the APU on throughout the night unattended on 737s to keep the airplane warm, however, in the airlines i have worked in that was not allowed. On the A320, depending on operator SOP, there is no need for a pilot or engineer on board as the APU automatically shuts down and activates the fire extinguisher if needed. Guess all kinda modern designs can do similar stuff, but no idea beyond the mini-bus and the 737.