APU fuel burn does not matter
03-15-2022, 04:38 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,326
APU fuel burn does not matter
While most pilots have reached the point where they are sick of sweating while they wait for pushback, some still think that starting the APU early is putting a burden on the company. Most APUs burn 200-250 lbs per hour under full load. That's 31-39 gallons per hour. Over the last 5 years, Delta's average jet fuel prices have ranged from $1.05-$2.40 per gallon. That means to cool the airplane during a 1-hour turn costs between $32.55 and $93.60. Keep in mind that GPUs and ground air also cost money. Odds are your airline is wasting more money by understaffing ground crews forcing multiple planes to wait with engines and APUs running before they can block in. The moral of the story is don't feel guilty about starting the APU 20 minutes earlier than you normally would.
03-15-2022, 05:03 PM
#2
That/It/Thang
Joined APC: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,905
While most pilots have reached the point where they are sick of sweating while they wait for pushback, some still think that starting the APU early is putting a burden on the company. Most APUs burn 200-250 lbs per hour under full load. That's 31-39 gallons per hour. Over the last 5 years, Delta's average jet fuel prices have ranged from $1.05-$2.40 per gallon. That means to cool the airplane during a 1-hour turn costs between $32.55 and $93.60. Keep in mind that GPUs and ground air also cost money. Odds are your airline is wasting more money by understaffing ground crews forcing multiple planes to wait with engines and APUs running before they can block in. The moral of the story is don't feel guilty about starting the APU 20 minutes earlier than you normally would.
But yes, I agree with you 100%. I was a pax on an AA flight last week and it was warm, watching passengers try to open their vents up, not knowing it will do no good. Meanwhile CA and FO up front and not even concerned.
I run the APU every leg. Until my company can show their air carts actually cool, and their ground support staff can hook an GPU and air cart up in less than 5 minutes, Ill continue to run it.
03-15-2022, 05:12 PM
#3
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Joined APC: Sep 2021
Posts: 274
It is not about the fuel, but about the start cycle.
On the way out, starting it with 10, 20 or 30 mins to go - does not matter - you're going to have to start it anyway.
When coming in, if one can avoid starting the APU at all- that may be worthwhile. Now for those GPU extenders... any day now, any day...
On the way out, starting it with 10, 20 or 30 mins to go - does not matter - you're going to have to start it anyway.
When coming in, if one can avoid starting the APU at all- that may be worthwhile. Now for those GPU extenders... any day now, any day...
03-15-2022, 05:19 PM
#4
That/It/Thang
Joined APC: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,905
It is not about the fuel, but about the start cycle.
On the way out, starting it with 10, 20 or 30 mins to go - does not matter - you're going to have to start it anyway.
When coming in, if one can avoid starting the APU at all- that may be worthwhile. Now for those GPU extenders... any day now, any day...
On the way out, starting it with 10, 20 or 30 mins to go - does not matter - you're going to have to start it anyway.
When coming in, if one can avoid starting the APU at all- that may be worthwhile. Now for those GPU extenders... any day now, any day...
03-15-2022, 05:35 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,568
While most pilots have reached the point where they are sick of sweating while they wait for pushback, some still think that starting the APU early is putting a burden on the company. Most APUs burn 200-250 lbs per hour under full load. That's 31-39 gallons per hour. Over the last 5 years, Delta's average jet fuel prices have ranged from $1.05-$2.40 per gallon. That means to cool the airplane during a 1-hour turn costs between $32.55 and $93.60. Keep in mind that GPUs and ground air also cost money. Odds are your airline is wasting more money by understaffing ground crews forcing multiple planes to wait with engines and APUs running before they can block in. The moral of the story is don't feel guilty about starting the APU 20 minutes earlier than you normally would.
03-15-2022, 05:37 PM
#7
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Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,568
03-15-2022, 05:40 PM
#8
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I don’t sweat. But I also monitor the temps during boarding and don’t let it get above 73 degrees. I’ve had a few people say, it’s not that hot, let’s wait until it’s 78. 5 min later, another 20 people are on the plane and now it’s 78. By the time the APU is actually providing air, it’s 80. All to save $1.00 in fuel.
03-15-2022, 06:20 PM
#10
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I always hate these kinds of arguments. Anything multiplied by the number of flights we do a year is a large number. Just like when AA removed 2 olives and a magazine from every flight and saved millions too.
How much do we spend a year on GPU fuel and ground air? Subtract that from the 131 million too. The people I’ve seen let APU fuel burn affect their decisions tend to disregard cost index too. That uses way more fuel.
How much do we spend a year on GPU fuel and ground air? Subtract that from the 131 million too. The people I’ve seen let APU fuel burn affect their decisions tend to disregard cost index too. That uses way more fuel.
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