AIRCRAFT GALLEY SYSTEM

GALLEY SYSTEM

The galley units provide facilities for receiving, storing, preparing, and distributing food and beverages to passengers and crew.

The galley installation comprises storage compartments maker and a working area for the stewardess. The galley also houses a water tank, a drain valve, food as well as waste, hot cup coffee and a galley control panel. The water tank can be filled via the water service panel, located on the side of the fuselage. To check whether sufficient water has been put into the galley there is an over flow outlet on water service panel.

Galleys are the kitchen area of the aircraft. They are used to prepare food and drink for consumption during flight. The electrical power for the galley is supplied by the aircraft electrical system. Because of the high electrical current drawn to power all the galley services, they can normally be turned off by galley MAST switch situated in the flight deck.

 This master switch can be used by the pilot to ‘Off load’ the galleys during an electrical problem and so conserved the electrical power for the aircraft essential services. Some larger aircraft have a load shedding system, which is automatic in use, e.g. if an electrical generator fails, then the non-essential loads powered by the generator will be shed, this will include the galleys. For this reason part of the galley is fed from a different electrical power source to ensure that not all galley services will be lost though an electrical malfunction.

The small aircraft galley shown in Figure 3.2 is typical of the 40-60 seated aircraft. Meals prepared in trays are loaded into slots in the food tray containers. During take-off and landing the retaining bar is fitted over the doors to prevent accidental opening. As the meals are required, the trays are inserted into the heatable containers until they are heated to the required temperature and are than issued to the passengers.

A thermostatically controlled hot cup provides hot water for beverages. It is filled from a water tank installed directly above it. The hot cup can be filled without removing it from its shelf by turning the water tank valve on the water tank.

Galley waste is placed into a disposable bag via a hinged cover on the work surface of the galley. The bag is removed after each flight through the waste bag access panel and a clean bag refitted ready for future use.

All the control switches, with exception of the galley master switch, are placed on the galley, including the thermal circuit breakers, which are connected with the hot cup and heatable container protection circuits.

The illustration in Figure 3.3 show a galley fitted to a large public transport aircraft.

Meals on trays are stored in the carts and transferred to the ovens as required. The hot meals are taken from the ovens and placed in the carts to be pushed down the aisles to serve the passengers. The ovens on the galley illustrated can cook up to approximately 300 meals at once; the carts can each carry 56 meal trays.

The ovens are control by a switch panel in the galley area. Storage cupboards and spare carts contain all other requirements for the cabin crew to serve the passengers such as:

(i)                 Minerals

(ii)               Cigarettes

(iii)             Alcoholic drinks

(iv)             Cups and glasses

(v)               Napkins and spare cutlery

On wide bodied business jet airliner, there are several galley units in each compartment. On typical aircraft, there are six galley units installed in the passenger compartment, two in the forward end, two inboard of the mid passenger doors, and two in the extreme aft portion of the compartment. The forward units are identified as the G2 and G3 galleys. A miscellaneous stowage area is provided forward of the left forward passenger door in lieu of a G1 galley unit. The G2 galley is installed forward of the right forward passenger door. The G3 galley is installed across the aircraft centreline inboard and just aft of the forward doors. The mid units, identified as the G4 and G5 galleys, face each other across the aircraft centreline inboard of the mid passenger doors. The aft units, identified as the G6 and G7 galleys, face each other from left and right sides of the aircraft centreline inboard and just aft of the aft passenger doors. This aircraft is also provided with provisions for a crew rest area on the left forward side of the passenger compartment between the lavatory and flight compartment.

Galley system has some maintenance problems due to spillage of fluids that causes corrosion. Periodic inspection for signs of corrosion in the fluid entrapped spaces is performed. Another problem is the burns due to overheat. Special care is to be exercised. Fuses and CBs are to be replaced whenever required for circuit protection in the electrical heater systems.