I'm not sure what you mean by "feature" - but the main purpose is being able to provide ground power for cooling, lights and starting when the airfield has no generator trailers.
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The primary purpose of an aircraft APU is to provide power to start the main engines. Turbine engines require to be accelerated to a high rotational speed so that they can provide air compression for self-sustaining operation.
Also before engines are to be turned, the APU is started, generally by a battery. Once the APU is running, it supplies power. APUs are also used to run accessories while the engines are shut down. Electrical power is used to run systems for preflight checks. Some APUs are also connected to a hydraulic pump, allowing crews to operate hydraulic equipment (such as flight controls or flaps) prior to engine start. This function can also be used, on some aircraft, as a backup in flight in case of engine or hydraulic failure.
There are literally hundreds of kinds of APU. The first ones I saw were small single cylinder engines similar to a large lawnmower engine in some models of the RAF Blackburn Beverly. - Modern APU's in large jets are quite capable of being the main engine of a small aircraft. - So it's almost impossible to give an answer unless you specify exactly which APU.
An Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) doesn't provide thrust because its primary function is to generate electrical power and pneumatic pressure for aircraft systems while on the ground or during engine start. The APU operates independently of the main engines, which are specifically designed to produce thrust for propulsion. Instead, the APU supports systems like air conditioning, lighting, and engine start without contributing to the aircraft's forward motion. Its role is crucial for operational efficiency rather than propulsion.
All, if not all modern aircraft, have their APU located at the rear below the tail. The only exception I know of is the A10 warthog which has the APU on the side to reduce heat detection.
Not all aircraft have an APU. These are normally found in the jet aircraft and the switches are frequently found on the "overhead" i.e. the 737s are on teh over head control boards in the centre/bottom of the overhead
Jet aircraft need an Auxiliary Power unit (APU) to supply power in order to get the the 2/3/4 turbines rotating before they can start them and add fuel to them. The APU needs an exhaust vent just like any other motor. The APU also supplies cabin air to the cabin while the engines are not started and the aircraft is on the ground. So the vent on the back of the aircraft is an exhaust vent for the air bleeding off of the APU.
A steady light in applicable APU fire pull handles; pilot and copilot CAUTION lights come on and APU fire light on the pilot's annunciator panel flashes and the audible horn sounds and an audible tone in the headset sounds.
It's an external power source which allows techs to power instruments and other flight systems without having to fire up the aircraft engines.
When an aircraft is being pushed away from the terminal, this is generally done with the main engines off. However, most airliners and larger corporate jets have what is called an "APU" which stands for "Auxiliary Power Unit". This is a small engine usually situated in the tail or belly of the plane which is used to power various subsystems of the aircraft until it is possible to start the main engines.
Almost all aircraft engines have generators. Most large aircraft also have an APU (small jet engine) specifically for providing extra electrical power.
APU turns it over. These used to be on external cart on early jets but are now internal.
The tail has many components that guide the aircraft, make it go up or down and often contains the APU.
On the very rear of the fuselage of the B747 is a round exhaust for the Auxillary Power Unit(APU). Every large passenger aircraft has an APU that is used to provide electrical & hydraulic power to the aircraft while it is on the ground (or also in the air during an emergency). The APU is a small jet engine that runs off the same fuel as the jet engines that provide thrust to the aircraft. The Wikipedia link shows a view of the APU exhaust and a view of the engine. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auxiliary_power_unit http://www.honeywell.com/sites/aero/Phoenix_Repair_Overhaul3_C5D5EB8A7-6730-18D1-F595-53107B90D5DA_HAF4748F3-42EF-F1E6-0E4B-B3C77023F099.htm