The importance of aircraft washing and rinsing has taken center stage in both military and commercial aviation as corrosion is now seen as a significant catalyst in airframe and component rework and failure.
In commercial aviation, as the combined commercial aircraft fleet operated by U.S. airlines grows to more than 7000 airplanes, many of the earlier aircraft still in service were not engineered for corrosion prevention and materials selection. Some studies estimate that up to 80% of aging aircraft related costs are corrosion related, while 45% of the observed component failures can be contributed to corrosion when both direct and initiation effects are considered.
According to the Air Force Corrosion Prevention and Control Office (AFCPCO), the USAF alone spends upwards of $2 billion annually on corrosion maintenance. It has been shown that rinsing aircraft with clear water after a mission is one of the most effective methods for removing contaminates, salt, or sand that contribute to corrosion. However, common practice for meeting aircraft rinse requirements at many operational units is to utilize commonly available equipment such as a common garden hose or water buffalo.
Riveer has developed several low pressure, high volume systems for washing and clear water rinsing fixed wing and rotary aircraft of all configurations, giving flight line personnel, crew chiefs and maintenance departments the tools they need to combat this costly and highly damaging foe.
Find out more about the Riveer ARC, AWS, TAWS® and BirdBath CWRS.