Definition
Electrical power supplied to an aircraft from a source outside the aircraft, typically through a receptacle in the fuselage, used to start the engine or operate electrical systems on the ground without drawing on the aircraft battery.
Plain English
Electricity plugged into the aircraft from outside, usually so the engine can be started or systems can be checked without using up the battery.
Context Anchor
Seen during ground operations, engine starting, maintenance, and preflight checks on aircraft equipped with an external power connector.
Derivation
‘External’ comes from the Latin externus, meaning ‘outside.’ In this context it simply signals that the power source is not part of the aircraft itself — it is supplied from outside.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents draining the aircraft battery and allows electrical systems to operate safely before engine start.
Analogy
It is like plugging a device into a wall outlet instead of running it on its internal battery.
Intuition Check
External power does not mean extra power made by the aircraft. It means electrical power supplied from outside the aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
On the cold morning, the pilot connected external power to the aircraft before attempting an engine start.
Example Sentence 2
After landing, the aircraft used external power while waiting for passengers to deplane.