No one knows more about the problematic issues with aircraft airframe corrosion than the United States Military. In fact in the first chapter of the of the United States Air Force Manual talks about washing procedures, as lets face it you cannot fly an aircraft which is falling apart from metal fatigue and aluminum corrosion. The USAF in 1-1-1 of the manual calls for aircraft to be fresh water rinsed after 3 take offs and landings over salt water. Corrosion is a huge issue indeed.

Recently there was a horrific accident in which a Seaplane had crashed into the bay near Miami this was a perfect example of the effects of corrosion. The aircraft was a 1946 vintage seaplane aircraft and obviously landing in salt water and spending its life in that environment, well there are issues. Everyone on board died.

There are other very dangerous environments for aircraft such as sulfuric gas from volcanic activity, acid rain and even cement dust blowing from construction sites or cement plants. You see cement has acids in it as well not the worlds greatest environment either. That stuff can be bad news indeed; you should see the problems with cars and the lime seeping from parking structures caused by condensation, leaching and leaks. It melts thru the clear coasts and ruins any shiny chrome, metal; stains and etches glass windows. The lime screws up polished aluminum on diamond plate, Motorcycles, etc.

Airports, which are downwind wind of that dust from cement plants is actually very dangerous too, even more so than the salt spray or salt air from an airport along side the ocean or a salt lake. Imagine having both; you would get the dust, the advection fog and the salt air all at once. Uncommon you say? Not so, as river mouths near the ocean are great places to collect the silt needed to make concrete and often there are airports near by.

If this dust is not cleaned off or if the salt air accumulates and is not cleaned off, the corrosion could end up ruining your whole day. So if you are in the aircraft cleaning business or own a small aircraft, please be thinking here.

Lance Winslow

Currently Lance is retired at age 40 and is running an Online Think Tank Forum while traveling North America. Perhaps considering something extremely challenging to do that will exercise his mind and utilize all his experiences, observations and skills. Any ideas?