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

Not long ago, a man from a small airport in California 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. Granted, I started my first aircraft wash 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, somewhat low to the ground so that low-wing planes can roll. 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 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 down 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 the water from all sides, proper drainage is important because of the debris that can get stuck inside, don’t want to create a haven for mosquitoes or scum buildup? Also, the wash pad needs to be up a bit 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 the pilots use degreaser on their firewalls, engines, bellies? If so, that adds cost, challenges with seepage, and problems 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 5 GPM, 15 HP or electrical equivalent, Cat 2500 psi pump, natural gas burner, 250 ft. of hose, double steel braid, with 150 ft. quick disconnects and 200 ft. With recovery; $28,000 and no claim; $7500

2. If receiving cold water only, a 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 that the county or city have assigned to you. I’m thinking $25,000 for clarification, $12,000 for the 4-6″ slightly raised wash deck is all you need to prevent puddles from the ramp or taxiway runoff, and concrete, assuming this is It will be placed right next to a taxiway or the side of the 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 were to let the water go to water the airport lawn once filtered.

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