PHOENIX, Sept. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell
(NYSE: HON) has reached two major milestones in the
production of auxiliary power units (APUs) for aircraft — rolling
out its 100,000th overall and the 15,000th of its most popular
variant flying today, the 131-9 model.
APUs provide power to tens of thousands of aircraft in the skies
today, and Honeywell has been the unquestioned leader in the space
for nearly 70 years. Numerous commercial and military platforms
have relied on Honeywell APUs to start their main engines and
provide additional power to other important systems.
"Honeywell invented the auxiliary power unit, and has been the
production and technological leader in APUs ever since," said
Brian Sill, president, Engines and
Power Systems, Honeywell Aerospace. "Our legacy and leadership in
this space combined with our expertise in connectivity make us well
equipped to provide aircraft operators with the next generation of
APUs and dependable backup power for years to come."
A flight begins and ends with the APU. From the minute a
passenger boards a plane until it reaches the destination gate,
this small engine provides electrical power to the aircraft to
start the main engines, run the air conditioning, operate lighting
and flight equipment, and more. It is also an important safety
feature because of the backup power it supplies to cockpit and
hydraulic systems in an emergency, which help control things like
steering, air speed and altitude during flight.
Honeywell's first APU took to the skies in 1950, and the company
has built more than 100,000 since. More than 36,000 are in service
today across more than 150 regional, executive, commercial and
military applications, including both fixed wing and rotary
wing.
In 2009, the Honeywell 131-9A APU on an Airbus A320 played a
critical role in the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in
New York's Hudson River, in which all 155 passengers and
crew survived. In August, Honeywell shipped its 15,000th 131-9
auxiliary power unit since introducing this model in 1995. More
than 13,000 131-9 APUs are still in service today. They are
primarily flown on the two most popular single-aisle passenger
aircraft in the skies: the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320.
Honeywell is continuing to advance APU technology in several
ways, and works to provide best-in-class operational efficiency to
customers. For example, Honeywell Forge for Airlines, an advanced
analytics-based software platform for airlines, helps operators
reduce delays and cancellations due to unscheduled APU
maintenance.
In addition, Honeywell will soon debut a new and smaller power
unit designed to provide on-ground power to turboprop and small to
midsize jets.
About Honeywell
Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually
every commercial, defense and space aircraft. The Aerospace
business unit builds aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin
electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components
and more. Its hardware and software solutions create more
fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights and safer
skies and airports. For more information, visit
www.honeywell.com or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology
company that delivers industry specific solutions that include
aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings
and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies
help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants,
supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world
smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information
on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honeywell-auxiliary-power-units-make-aviation-history-with-new-production-milestones-300920417.html
SOURCE Honeywell