Honeywell provides power for Skybus

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.