Each year, the Federal Aviation Administration handles an average of 16,191,379 flights; as a result, the need for reliable aircraft filtration systems is at an all-time high. For many of these flights, generic, one-size-fits-all filtration systems cannot provide the level of precision, durability, and dependability that custom aircraft filtration systems can offer. In many cases, customized filters for your aircraft can not only enhance your safety in the air but can also optimize your plane’s performance and efficiency. At Global Filtration, our primary goal isn’t just to sell our clients high-quality, PMA-certified filters – we strive to help our clients find the ideal custom aircraft filtration solution for their unique needs.
The Fundamentals of Custom Aircraft Filtration Solutions
Much like a home’s air filters, aircraft filtration systems protect the air from harmful pollutants, just on a much larger scale. Not only are they engineered to offer highly accurate filtration for the plane’s passengers, but they also must be able to operate through extreme conditions like high altitudes, extreme temperatures, and significant jostling. When it comes to operating in these extreme conditions, oftentimes, custom aircraft filtration systems are the best way to ensure that your plane’s passengers are safe at all times.
One-size-fits-all filtration systems leave blind spots when it comes to key aspects of aircraft filtration, including:
- Environmental extremes: Many standard filters are not designed to operate when exposed to extreme temperatures and pressure fluctuations. When standard filters don’t perfectly fit an aircraft’s internal system or the materials aren’t conducive to the unique requirements, they can quickly lead to media degradation and failure.
- Contaminant specificity: While a standard aircraft filter might catch the majority of large particles, a custom aircraft filter ensures that no contaminants are missed, including microscopic viruses, bacteria, or toxic chemicals. At Global Filtration, our goal is to find the correct material for whatever contaminants your system needs to resist, regardless of whether that is hydraulic fluid, engine air, or cabin air.
- Weight and space: On any aircraft, from personal plane to commercial flights or even military jets – every ounce matters. Many off-the-shelf filter options might be too bulky for your specific needs.
- System integration: Aircraft are some of the most intricate, sensitive systems in the world. One of the biggest problems that standard filters can cause is faulty system integration. By choosing custom options, you ensure all filters are easily integrated into the rest of the system, allowing all parts to work together efficiently.
The Anatomy of a Custom Aircraft Filter
Learning the why of choosing custom filters is just the start. The most important thing to understand is the precise engineering that sets custom filters apart from standard solutions. By learning the core components of aircraft filters, you can better see how custom filters offer tailored fits, peak performance, and increased reliability.
The most important aspect of a filter, custom or standard, is the filter’s media. The primary options include:
- HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air): Most often used in cabin air filtration. This medium is highly efficient at trapping microscopic particles like dust, pollen, bacteria, or viruses in the air.
- Activated carbon: This filter media is made up of porous carbon to absorb contaminants in gas form, such as contaminants, odors, and chemical fumes from the engine.
- Synthetic fibers: This is one of the lightest options, as well as one of the most durable media. They can be used in both air and fluid systems and can withstand harsh environments.
- Metal fibers: Metal fiber filters are the strongest and most durable filter option, making them some of the most popular mediums for custom aircraft filtration systems. They can withstand temperatures and pressures while also resisting shedding excess material into the fluid.
The other vital components include the filter housing and seals. These are what ensure a flawless fit and prevent leakage. Because we can customize each part, we can design a custom filter for your aircraft that integrates perfectly into your existing system.
How Custom Filters Can Improve Unique Aircraft Applications
Much like your home’s air filters, aircraft filtration systems help protect the plane from debris like harmful pollutants – only on a much larger, more serious scale. They not only work better when integrating them into your existing system, but they also work more efficiently, for significantly longer. From defense aircraft to sensitive hydraulic solutions – custom aircraft filtration systems are the most accurate, reliable way to mitigate the risks associated with flight.
Defense aircraft need to be able to operate in some of the most extreme environments, from desert skies to combat zones. Custom filtration designs can offer the reliability that these environments demand. These zones typically have high levels of contaminants in the air, including chemicals, dust, and other harmful particles. Because of this, a perfect fit and the industry’s top materials can be the difference between mission failure and success.
Hydraulic and fuel system filtration can also greatly benefit from custom solutions. Even the smallest amount of contaminants within this system can lead to catastrophic effects, including loss of flight controls, system failure, and braking system malfunctions. Custom filters help ensure complete purity within the hydraulic system, especially in turboprop or turbofan engines. Not only does it increase safety, but it also maximizes the performance quality of the aircraft.
Lastly, many corporate jets or medical transport aircraft invest in custom filters to remove ultra-specific pathogens and other contaminants from the air. In addition to pathogens and bacteria, filters can also resist odor-specific contaminants, making the flight safer and more enjoyable for important guests or staff.
The Bottom Line: How Custom Aircraft Filtration Systems Can Impact Your Company
Past the important safety improvements that custom filtration systems can offer, they can also contribute to large-scale improvements throughout your company’s overall performance. Because Global Filtration customizes its filters for your specific application, they can help improve your operational efficiency in several key ways:
- Fuel efficiency: When your aircraft’s filtration system is well-fit and designed for your specific needs, it can reduce drag and improve your fuel usage. This leads to lower operating costs and a better-balanced budget for your company.
- Extended lifespan of the system: By ensuring that the fluids within a system are as pure as possible, they will reduce the risk of system malfunctions that could lead to costly repairs. For optimal integration, a perfectly tailored system will work faster and more efficiently for longer, regardless of your aircraft’s application.
Lastly, by working with Global Filtration and allowing us to help you optimize your system with custom filters, you can rely more on preventative maintenance as opposed to reactive repairs. This means that because all players have a thorough knowledge of your filters’ exact specifications, we can help you predict when they may need periodic servicing to avoid extended downtime and more significant problems. Contact Global Filtration today and let us help you find the perfect custom aircraft filtration system for your unique fleet needs!