Gallery: A Look At APUs for Gulfstreams

Credit: Gulfstream

Honeywell is the exclusive supplier of auxiliary power units for Gulfstream jets, and has delivered more than 3,000 of the engines to the Savannah-based manufacturer.

More than 600 of Gulfstream’s 6,750-nmi G550 jets are in service, all with Honeywell APUs. Gulfstream made the last commercial delivery of a G550 on June 30.

Credit: Honeywell

Honeywell manufactures its auxiliary power units at a Phoenix factory that dates back to the 1940s. The engines provide electrical and/or compressed power for main engine starting, for avionics and lighting, and for air conditioning and heating systems when aircraft are parked.

Honeywell: TBD

Honeywell claims “proven on-wing reliability, superior efficiency, and great power-to-weight ratio for multiple aircraft from the helicopter, to small and medium-range business jets, regional airlines, to turboprop applications” for its 36 Series APUs.

Credit: Honeywell

Honeywell notes that its 36 Series APU family encompasses more than 20 different variations modified for specific business jet–as well as commercial and military aircraft–requirements. The manufacturer’s 36-150 APUs can deliver compressed air and shaft power simultaneously or individually.

A ported shroud compressor design allows higher pneumatic performance and shaft loads, Honeywell says, while reducing ground noise is reduced up to 10dBA. In addition, the company’s 36 Series APUs boast a “class-leading power-to-weight ratio.”

Honeywell Series 36 engines are found on Gulfstream G280, G450, G550, G650 and G50ER, GIV and GV jets.

Credit: Honeywell

Honeywell’s RE220/HGT400 APU boasts high pneumatic capabilities, the manufacturer says, making it “an excellent auxiliary power choice for regional airlines and transcontinental business jets.”

The RE220 is the first general aviation APU able to communicate with an aircraft’s MDAU/maintenance data acquisition unit, Honeywell adds, “enabling pilots and mechanics to monitor performance and troubleshoot from the flight deck.”

The RE220 was initially designed for large Bombardier business jets. Electrical output of 60kVA supports 50% higher electrical loads than most other APUs, Honeywell says, “important as business and regional aircraft become more electric and demands for onboard equipment grow.

Qualified to 43,000 feet, Honeywell RE220 APUs fly on Gulfstream G550, G650 and 650ER, GV jets.

Credit: Gulfstream

Gulfstream’s G650 and G650ER jets, shown taking shape here, can be fitted with Honeywell’s 36 Series or more capable RE220 APUs.

Credit: Honeywell

Honeywell notes that its RE220/HGT400 APUs are found on several of the world’s best-selling transcontinental business jets and regional airliners, including the Gulfstream V, G550, G650 and G650ER.

HGT400 APU employs the RE220 core, Honeywell says, “re-qualified to the latest FAA TSO-C77b requirements.”

Credit: Honeywell

Honeywell offers a Maintenance Service Plan designed specifically for APUs – “an efficient and cost-effective program offering a practical alternative for managing future maintenance expenses,” the company says.

Credit: Honeywell

Honeywell’s Phoenix Engines plant includes full-service MRO/maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities for APUs on Gulfstream and other aircraft.

Credit: Gulfstream

Gulfstream’s latest and greatest offering is the 7,700-nmi, $75 million G700. Billed as “the industry flagship,” the Gulfstream G700 has a Honeywell RE200 APU.

The G700 was announced in October 2019 at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas, and made its first flight (shown) in February 2020. A fully configured aircraft with all cabin amenities joined an existing fleet of five flight test jets this past April. Deliveries are to commence in 2022.