Reverse Osmosis Water for Aircraft Wash‑Down in NSW

Background

Bird Bath NSW is a helicopter wash facility operated by a government facility, using floor‑mounted spray nozzles for routine aircraft cleaning. To support wash‑down operations, the original system relied on captured rainwater. 

Over time, inconsistent water quality led to corrosion across aircraft components, increasing maintenance effort and replacement costs. At the same time, existing pumps and spray nozzles were unable to deliver sufficient flow and coverage, leaving some critical areas inadequately rinsed. 

The client required a more reliable water source to protect aircraft materials and improve wash effectiveness, while working within the constraints of the existing facility and pipework. 

Objectives

The aim of this project was to: 

• Provide reverse osmosis water for aircraft wash‑down to prevent corrosion and protect critical aircraft components 
• Improve wash‑down performance through increased flow capacity and spray coverage 
• Reuse existing pipework to minimise cost and site disruption 
• Deliver a system simple to operate and reliable for day‑to‑day use 

Challenges

The challenge was to deliver a cost‑effective reverse osmosis water solution for aircraft wash‑down, without requiring a full rebuild of the existing wash bay. 

Most of the existing wash‑down pipework needed to be reused, which placed constraints on how the new system could be connected and integrated. Any changes had to work with what was already in place. 

The wash‑down performance also needed to improve. New pumps and spray nozzles had to be designed to ensure all critical aircraft components could be properly rinsed during cleaning operations. 

In addition, the RO plant needed to manage backwash discharge to a designated drain located several metres away, requiring careful coordination of system layout and discharge routing. 

Wash performance was improved through a new pump and nozzle configuration designed to deliver effective coverage across critical aircraft components. The system was also configured to discharge RO backwash water to a designated drain located several metres away, using a small tank and pump that automatically activates when the tank reaches a set level, while two push‑button controls, at the wash bay and in the operations room, allow operations staff to start the system without pilots needing to disembark from the aircraft. 

Outcome

The system is now delivering consistent reverse osmosis water for aircraft wash-down operations, helping eliminate the corrosion issues previously associated with untreated rainwater. The improved water quality is supporting better protection of aircraft components, coatings, and composite materials across routine cleaning cycles. 

Upgraded pump and nozzle performance has also improved wash coverage and rinsing consistency across critical aircraft surfaces, reducing ongoing maintenance requirements and the need for premature component replacement. 

“The project required more than just water treatment performance. The system also needed to integrate seamlessly into the client’s operational workflow and remain straightforward for onsite personnel to manage day to day.”
— Juan Monroy, Project Manager -Southland Filtration  

In Summary