FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practice Exam

When ensuring power availability due to APU inoperation, what should dispatchers verify?

1. Flight routes being filed

2. The airline's fuel capacity

3. Availability of GPU and air start

4. Flight crew qualifications

The correct answer is: Availability of GPU and air start

When assessing power availability in the event that the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is inoperative, dispatchers need to ensure that there is an alternative source of power for ground operations and potentially for starting the engines. The availability of a Ground Power Unit (GPU) and an air start system is crucial in this scenario. A GPU provides electrical power to the aircraft while it is on the ground, which is essential for systems that require power but do not necessarily rely on the APU when it is unavailable. Similarly, an air start unit can assist in spooling up the aircraft’s engines if the APU is unable to do so. Without these back-up options, the aircraft could face operational delays or be grounded due to inadequate power supply, which can impact the flight schedule and overall safety. In this context, while considerations like flight routes, fuel capacity, or crew qualifications are important aspects of flight planning and safety, they do not directly address the immediate need for power availability when the APU is not operational. Hence, verifying the availability of GPU and air start is the most relevant and crucial action for dispatchers in this situation.