What is the purpose of monitoring the APU's temperature?

Monitoring the APU's temperature is crucial primarily to prevent overheating and potential damage. The APU, or Auxiliary Power Unit, operates in a range of temperatures, and if it exceeds those limits, it can suffer from serious mechanical and operational issues. High temperatures can lead to component failure, reduced efficiency, and ultimately, a complete failure of the APU system. By keeping a close eye on the APU's temperature, operators can take proactive measures to mitigate risks, ensuring the APU functions safely and reliably throughout its operational lifecycle.

While other factors, such as calibrating fuel flow, assessing oil levels, and diagnosing exhaust issues, are important in the overall maintenance and performance of the APU, they are secondary to the immediate need to prevent overheating. Overheating is a critical issue that can have catastrophic consequences, which is why monitoring temperature takes precedence in operational protocols.