aircraft pneumatic system for Cabin Crew

To provide additional knowledge of the aircraft systems for cabin crews, we had include some information which we feel are important.

These information provide some background and appreciate of the aircraft. The knowledge can be useful in answering some of the queries from curious passengers.

About Pneumatic System

The pneumatic system is the system to supply, control and make the compressed air available for different application for the aircraft, both in the air or on ground.

Take note of the keywords, supply, control and make available of the compressed air. The actual usage of the pneumatic is included in the other section. Example, the use of pneumatic for air conditioning is put under the topic of air conditioning.

Applications (uses) of the compressed air.

1. Compressed are is mainly used to pressurize the aircraft. As the modern aircraft can fly to as high as 37,000 feet, the air is too thin at that altitude. As such the aircraft cabin pressure has to be maintained high for the safety of the passengers.

The function to maintain the pressure and the comfortable air condition is handle in different system.

2. Pneumatic is used to start a jet engine.

Most jet engines are started using a pneumatic starter. Pneumatic starter had a better power to weight ratio.

3. Use for anti-icing anf deicing.

These involve 2 functions, deicing is removing the ice after it had already formed. Anti-icing is the action taken to prevent the formation of ice.

The hot air is used to heat up the leading edge of the aircraft's wing to prevent the formation of the ice.

Where air comes from.
The pneumatic are from:

1. The engines : As air is being compressed by the engine, it gets hotter, the combination of cold and hot compressed are is being regulated to give the system the correct temperature and pressure.

2. The auxiliary power (APU) unit is a small jet engine designed to provide the compressed air as well as the electrical power.

3. Ground Power Unit: On ground, the aircraft can be connected to a ground power unit.

Control and Indication.

A simple switches and indication lights are provided in the cockpit to control the system. The system also has protection against over temperature. You can see the panel is a representative of the system, the sources are at the bottom. The users are on top.