Skybus has selected Honeywell’s 131-9A Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to provide air conditioning, main engine starting and electrical power for its fleet of 65 new Airbus A319 aircraft.
Honeywell will also provide Skybus with a 12-year Integrated Service Solutions (ISS) support programme for the assets and APU maintenance throughout the term of the $37m agreement. Deliveries of APUs and support activities will begin in 2007.
There are 1,080 131-9 models in service on Airbus aircraft around the world. The fleet has accumulated more than 12 million hours of operation since entering service in 1998.
The 131-9A APU produces rated power with lower exhaust gas temperatures than previous designs. To address operator concerns on escalating fuel prices, Honeywell now offers an Environmental Control System (ECS) performance de-rate Service Bulletin which reduces fuel consumption by four percent annually. When service is needed, any line-replaceable unit in the 131-9 can be removed and replaced in the field in 12 minutes or less.
The unit is ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operating Performance Standards) certified to start and operate to 12,500m, delivering 70kg of air per minute at 3.6 bar for environmental control systems and main engine starting. Its generator is capable of supplying full electrical power for the aircraft in the event of an emergency.
The Honeywell 131-9A APU is designed specifically to match the requirements of air transport aircraft, and applies to the Airbus A318, A319, A320 and A321.
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