Constant Frequency AC Electrical System for Business Aircraft

Constant frequency a-c electrical equipment, consisting of a hydraulic constant speed drive powering an a-c generator, is now available for consideration on business aircraft. This system can provide significant weight savings over other types of electrical systems and provides the same high reliability and good growth potential that has been realized on larger military and commercial aircraft since 1946.

The weight savings that can be attained is particularly appealing when the aircraft includes an auxiliary power unit (APU) that can be used to provide power for pneumatic or hydraulic main engine starting. This eliminates the need for the heavy d-c starter/generator and results in lower overall aircraft weight.