Aircraft engine starting
When we go on a trip on an airplane, it needs to start its engines before we can take off. Just like how we have to warm up the car before driving it, an airplane's engines also need to warm up before it can fly.
Starting an airplane engine is like giving it a jumpstart. A machine called an auxiliary power unit (APU) helps to start the engines. The APU is like a little generator that provides electricity to the airplane. It turns a small turbine engine that powers some of the airplane's systems like the air conditioning and lights.
Once the APU is started, it provides power to the airplane, and the pilot can then start the engines using switches in the cockpit. The engines are started by pumping fuel and air into them, and then igniting them with a spark.
The engines spin very fast when they are started, and this creates a lot of noise and wind. You may have noticed your ears popping when an airplane is starting up, and this is because of the pressure changes caused by the spinning engines.
It takes a few minutes for the engines to warm up to the right temperature, and during this time, the pilot does some safety checks to make sure everything is working correctly.
Once the engines are warmed up and checked, the airplane is ready to take off and fly us to our destination!
Starting an airplane engine is like giving it a jumpstart. A machine called an auxiliary power unit (APU) helps to start the engines. The APU is like a little generator that provides electricity to the airplane. It turns a small turbine engine that powers some of the airplane's systems like the air conditioning and lights.
Once the APU is started, it provides power to the airplane, and the pilot can then start the engines using switches in the cockpit. The engines are started by pumping fuel and air into them, and then igniting them with a spark.
The engines spin very fast when they are started, and this creates a lot of noise and wind. You may have noticed your ears popping when an airplane is starting up, and this is because of the pressure changes caused by the spinning engines.
It takes a few minutes for the engines to warm up to the right temperature, and during this time, the pilot does some safety checks to make sure everything is working correctly.
Once the engines are warmed up and checked, the airplane is ready to take off and fly us to our destination!