Large generator type lorry
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 50
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From: UK
Large generator type lorry
We were coming back from Rome Ciampino last night via Ryanair 737-800. The plane was late boarding, which we initially put down to lack of staff (one slightly, well very, harrassed looking woman) on the gate. Once we'd all boarded the plane sat at the gate for a further 20-25mins without moving.
Then a large-ish rigid lorry appeared with something that looked like a big generator on the back and reversed up close to the engine. Driver connected it up somewhere we couldn't see and revved it hard while the pilot appeared to try an engine start. After a while and a few attempts the engine did appear to start and we left about an hour late. The flight was completely normal.
What did we see? We did wonder if it was a jet sized jump start pack, but it could have been something far less exciting! The other thing that crossed our minds was a very late appearance by the toilet waste removal truck totally unconnected with anything to do with engines but couldn't see enough detail to tell what the vehicle was.
Then a large-ish rigid lorry appeared with something that looked like a big generator on the back and reversed up close to the engine. Driver connected it up somewhere we couldn't see and revved it hard while the pilot appeared to try an engine start. After a while and a few attempts the engine did appear to start and we left about an hour late. The flight was completely normal.
What did we see? We did wonder if it was a jet sized jump start pack, but it could have been something far less exciting! The other thing that crossed our minds was a very late appearance by the toilet waste removal truck totally unconnected with anything to do with engines but couldn't see enough detail to tell what the vehicle was.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 37
From: England
An ASU (Air Start Unit). Provides air to start the engine when the APU is inop.
https://www.google.com/search?q=air+...air+start+unit
https://www.google.com/search?q=air+...air+start+unit
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
The 737 (like most airliners) carries an Auxilliary Power Unit, usually mounted at the back, under the vertical tail. if you search for 'Auxilliary Power Unit', then go to IMAGES.
The unit is a small jet engine and provides electric power when on the ground and then compressed air to rotate the engines as part of their start sequence. If the APU is inoperable, you can still take off as the unit is only for use on the ground, you just need someone to 'give you a swing', as we said in the old says.
The unit is a small jet engine and provides electric power when on the ground and then compressed air to rotate the engines as part of their start sequence. If the APU is inoperable, you can still take off as the unit is only for use on the ground, you just need someone to 'give you a swing', as we said in the old says.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 8
From: Either the back of a sim, or wherever Crewing send me.
Very disappointing, but not really surprising given the airline in question, that the welcome aboard PA didn't mention the non normal situation so that you would have known exactly what was going on. I do.
(allegedly)
Joined: Oct 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 347
From: London UK
Not a joke. Travelling Y, boarded a Pulkovo (now Rossiya) 737 at St Petersburg one day seated in 2B. It was still rigged up for C class, with the window and aisle seats expanded and the narrow space in the middle. Knowing that such seats have a crank handle to wind them between configurations, I pointed to the seat and expected that, like BA, the tools would need to be produced to do this. But the purser shouted for colleague Sasha (female - in Russia this name can be either). Sasha, in the new elegant FA uniform recently introduced, strode forward, looked, pressed something, then grabbed both middle armrests firmly and WHAM ! Reconfigured.
