Jet engines are the backbone of the commercial aviation industry. Statistics show that they power over nine in 10 commercial airliners. When compared to propeller engines, such as turboprops, jet engines are typically faster, quieter and more efficient at high altitudes. To work in an airplane, however, most jet engines require an engine build up (EBU).
What Is an EBU?
Also known as an engine build unit, an EBU is a collection of components (see below) that connects a jet engine to various aircraft systems. You can’t just drop a jet engine in an airplane and expect it to work as intended. Jet engines must communicate with the airplane’s systems, such as fuel, hydraulic and electrical systems. EBUs provide this connection.
Key Components of an EBU
A complete EBU for an airplane has thousands or even tens of thousands of individual components, each of which is connected to one or more aircraft systems. Fuel pumps, valves and nozzles, for instance, are connected to the fuel system. They work together to feed the engine with the proper amount of fuel.
Electric cables are included in an EBU. A typical commercial airliner has around 50 to 300 miles of electric wires and cables. When jet engines burn fuel and air, they generate hot exhaust gases that shoot out the back of the airplane for propulsion. At the same time, jet engines produce electricity. Electric cables feed this electricity to the airplane’s electrical system.
EBUs contain hydraulic hoses. They are used for thrust reversers and other parts. Hydraulic hoses connect hydraulic pumps to the airplane’s hydraulic system so that fluid can travel to the thrust reversers.
The Importance of EBU Components
EBU components are important because they link jet engines to various aircraft systems. If one component fails, it can affect the entire engine. Depending on the particular type of component, as well as the way in which it has failed, the engine’s performance may suffer or it may stop working altogether. Fortunately, modern airplanes have many redundancies in place to ensure safe operation.
In Conclusion
An EBU is what turns a standalone jet engine into a fully functional part of an aircraft. It allows engines to communicate with fuel, electrical and hydraulic systems so they can operate safely and efficiently at all phases of flight. With thousands of interconnected components, even small EBU parts play an outsized role in overall performance and reliability.
