The Pros and Cons of Portable Power in the Aviation Industry

Summary: The aviation industry’s utilization of ground power units is at an all time high. Here is an in-depth look as to why.

Portable power units play a supportive role in the entire central grid that’s hardwired into each airport. However, it’s widely speculated that GPUs are underutilized and do not play a central role, which is up for debate. This article is designed to showcase why ground power units are pivotal in today’s aviation industry.

The Pros

Without the use of ground power units or portable power supplies, airplanes will be required to be ground without a source of power to keep the onboard electronics active. Thus, the plane will be forced to use the auxiliary power unit which draws from the battery. Not only is it a convenient option but for maintenance reasons as well. Leaving the lights and electronics online after use can be extremely useful for mechanics and maintenance workers to perform their duties and prep the plane for next use.

The Cons

Many portable power units are being used as separate items as opposed to being connected to a central grid. This can essentially take more time for mechanics to perform their work as they’ll need to ensure that the power is restarted and connected directly to the GPU itself. This may take more time than necessary, interrupting the flow of work. Although most airports work in sync with one another, there is always a system in place that allows each team to work in a pattern that enhances efficiency. Moreover, this specific system gives each member an opportunity to move on to next project in a timely fashion. Any interruption to this pattern can result in an unnecessary delay.

Blog submitted by Start Pac: Start Pac carries affordable portable power supply units and other ground power units that are compatible with your aircraft or vehicle. To learn more, visit Start Pac online today.