Importance of Proper Care
For most General Aviation pilots, there's a sense of pride and accomplishment that goes into being able to own his or her own aircraft, and that becomes evident in how the aircraft is maintained. There's an old saying that goes, "You take care of it, and it will take care of you." This extends beyond just the engine, control surfaces, and other operational components of the airframe. Proper exterior care of the aircraft helps prevent structural corrosion caused by contaminants, extends the life of the
paint by keeping it free of bugs, dirt, grease and oil, and other debris, and it can even improve the performance of the aircraft by reducing parasitic drag. Proper interior care extends the life of the interior components, such as upholstery and plastics and helps to protect expensive equipment such as sensitive avionics. Additionally, a clean aircraft - inside and out - ensures you put your pride of ownership on display every time you open the hangar doors!
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For Corporate Aviation, this goes a step further. Beyond pride of ownership, corporate and charter aircraft owners have a responsibility to their clients to ensure they are always transported wherever they need to go in a clean, well-maintained aircraft. A corporate or charter company with clean aircraft - inside and out - will get better reviews and more business than those with aircraft that do not have the appearance of being well kept. Give any client
the option, and he or she will pick the cleaner, shinier aircraft every single time! It provides a sense of security and peace of mind!
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Proper care goes beyond just keeping your aircraft clean. It involves knowing how to keep your aircraft clean and detailed. It means selecting a knowledgeable company that has specific training on aircraft and aircraft systems. Simply put, the last thing you want is for that car detailing guy that offered you a great price to accidentally get wax in your static port! Additionally, if you hire someone who shows up with a pressure washer, be very wary! Using a pressure washer is okay, in the right experienced hands, but can be destructive when used incorrectly. Pressure washing can force dirt and chemicals into areas where they are not meant to go and where they cannot be easily removed. This can lead to corrosion and degradation of materials allowed to remain in contact with the water and dirt incursion. Also, hand washing allows for a close examination of the aircraft surface and systems during the wash process. We cannot count the number of times where we have discovered loose screws, missing components, and even fatigue and cracks in the metal and carbon fiber skins on airframes while we were performing cleaning and detailing services. This is just another way the special attention to detail provided by hand cleaning the aircraft benefits our clients.
Whether you choose to hire Prop Wash or select another company, be sure whomever you hire knows exactly what they're doing. Don't be afraid to ask what products they are using. Make sure they're using aviation-approved products on your aircraft and verify that the products are approved for your airframe's covering and specific components.
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Prop Wash Aviation Services, LLC is pilot-run and pilot-managed. Our technicians are pilots or pilots-in-training, or they are individuals who have a great interest in aviation. All employees have received specialized training on the products and methods we use, as well as proper cleaning, detailing, and care of aircraft, airframes, airframe surfaces, airframe interiors, flight deck components, internal and external avionics components, landing gear & gear wells, and much more. We are fully insured, and our focus is on the preservation of your asset.
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To see the expert services provided by Prop Wash Aviation Services and to select the services that are right for you, click here.