General Aviation Airport Wash Racks: Costs, Equipment, and the EPA

Not long ago, a gentleman at a small California airport asked me how much it would cost to install a fixed-site clothesline. Also what kind of equipment was needed and what kind of environmental controls were needed for everything. Okay, I started my first aircraft washing service at age 12, so I know a thing or two about aircraft cleaning. Here are some thoughts on this very good question.

Well, the equipment needs to be assembled and placed in a shed of some sort, something low to the ground so low wing planes can taxi. The airport in question is in a region of California that is sometimes very cold. So you need to make sure the water doesn’t freeze and you have a pressure relief valve of some kind to fully discharge the water in the pump after use, you can’t let it freeze.

If the airport wants to put in a full wash pad with a drain in the center, that’s smart, 1 inch for every 5 feet of slope, but I’d also advise putting in a small 4-inch by 6-inch trench with a small grate around it. to drain all water from all sides, proper drainage is important due to debris that can get stuck inside, don’t want to create a haven for mosquitoes or scum buildup? Also, the wash pad should be a little up at a high point so it doesn’t collect water from other places and pool.

There’s another idea, and that would be a kind of hangar area surrounding the wash rack where an owner could roll and pull the nose of the plane under the overhang, protecting people from the rain. Also, you need to ask yourself; Will pilots use degreaser on their firewalls, engines, bellies? If so, that adds costs, challenges with filtration, and issues at your local sewer plant, still, it’s probably something the homeowners association would want.

Let’s talk about costs:

1. If you had a hot water pressure washer, I recommend a 5 GPM, 15 HP or electric equivalent, 2500 psi Cat pump, natural gas burner, 250 feet of hose, double braided steel, with quick disconnects at 150 feet and 200 feet . With recovery; $28,000 and no claim; $7500

2. If receiving cold water only, Cat 5.5 HP pump or electric equivalent, 4.5 GPM, 1500 psi. Cost: $1800 approx – get multiple offers.

3. Add the construction costs + clarifiers assigned to you by the county or city. I’m thinking $25,000 for a clarification, $12,000 for the 4-6″ slightly raised wash pad is all you need to prevent puddles from the ramp or runoff from the taxiway, and concrete, assuming this is placed right next to a taxiway or the side of a ramp.

There are Landa dealers, try the phone book under the “pressure washer equipment” category. They can fix you. Also, if you need an above ground freeze resistant recovery system prior to discharge to the city sewer system. If it’s in a septic tank that would be the only way to do it or if you let the water go to irrigate the airport lawn once filtered.

Airport EPA rules are pretty strict: everything from de-icing fluid, hydraulic fluids, fuel, etc. – Runoff into watercourses is not allowed. Also check 13.263 of the California water code, pretty strict there too, even more so in some cases. You really exaggerate but realize you guys are on high ground with the loophole, there’s no point in messing up a good airport, we’re lucky we have all the airports we can get for general aviation these days. Please consider all this and think about it.