SKYDROL PE-5 aviation hydraulic fluid

Frequently Asked Questions

Testing/Approvals

Q: Which airframe manufacturers approve Skydrol PE‑5?
A: Boeing North (BMS3-11), Boeing South (DMS2014), and Airbus (NSA307110) approve Skydrol PE-5. Work is in progress to gain approval at other major airframe manufacturers.

Q: What testing was performed to demonstrate performance?
A: Chemical analysis, static and dynamic bench tests, and Flight Service Evaluations were all completed according to Boeing and Airbus specifications. Flight testing demonstrated fluid mixing/compatibility, seal swell characteristics, pump/valve reliability, and fluid life.

Q: What aircraft models can it be used on?
A: All Boeing aircraft, including the B-787, and all Airbus aircraft, including the A380.

Performance

Q: What are the benefits of Skydrol PE-5?

A: Skydrol PE-5 offers performance benefits when compared with existing Type IV and Type V fluids. These benefits include:
• The longest fluid life of any phosphate ester fluid, under high moisture and low moisture conditions. Also under high temperature and mild temperature conditions.
• Significant weight savings vs. most Type IV fluids, which deliver fuel savings by making the hydraulic system lighter.
• The lowest -65 deg F viscosity among phosphate ester fluids, for faster cold starts, highest system efficiency.
• Reduced maintenance expense due to longer fluid life.
• Environmental benefit/reduced waste disposal volume due to longer fluid life.

Compatibility

Q: Which Can Skydrol PE-5 be mixed with other hydraulic fluids ?
A: Yes Skydrol PE-5 is fully compatible and miscible with all other commercially available phosphate ester fluids. Changing over to Skydrol PE-5 on approved aircraft is as simple as adding the new fluid on top of the old fluid.

Q: What material compatibility testing has been performed on Skydrol PE-5?
A: Skydrol PE-5 has been fully tested with elastomers, metals, and other materials of construction in accordance with airframe manufacturer’s requirements. Its materials compatibility performance is equivalent to existing low density phosphate ester fluids.

Q: What aircraft models can it be used on?
A: All Boeing aircraft, including the B-787, and all Airbus aircraft, including the A380.

Conversion Procedure

Q: What is the required procedure for switching to Skydrol PE-5?
A: On approved aircraft, you simply add Skydrol PE-5 on top of the existing fluid when required. No draining is necessary. The full benefit of the weight savings by this technique will not be realized until you reach a 90% concentration of the new fluid.

Packaging & Availability

Q: What package sizes are offered?
A: Skydrol PE-5 is sold in quart cans, 1 gallon and 5 gallon cans, plus 55 gallon drums, same as with the other Skydrol products.

Manufacturing

Q: Where is Skydrol PE-5 produced?
A: All Skydrol products are made at our manufacturing plant in Anniston, Alabama, U.S.A. This facility was built in 2006 to replace the previous plant in St. Louis, Missouri.

Q: Is the manufacturing plant ISO certified?
A: Yes. Both the manufacturing plant and laboratory are ISO 9001 certified. Both Boeing and Airbus have audited our facility.