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After 460 hours of test flying time, AeroTough GF non-metallic landing gear bushings on the C-GUTY Aerostar were removed and inspected in Brantford, Ont., where there was no measurable wear and no grease was used.
The elimination of greased bronze bushings in landing gear applications is a first for the industry. And it is fitting that this pioneering discovery happened in Brantford, the home of “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky and Alexander Graham Bell’s first North American home.
“The general aviation (GA) industry has always utilized bronze bushings in landing gear applications which meant continual greasing for lubrication and corrosion prevention,” said Nicholas Choo-Son, director, Business Development at Marsh Brother Aviation, the Canadian-based manufacturer of AeroTough GF polymer bushings.
“Greasing maintenance takes time and can be costly. This polymer material can revolutionize the aviation industry and eliminate grease in landing gear forever.”
In 2017, Marsh Brothers Aviation achieved Transport Canada and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for complete Aerostar aircraft landing gear grease free bushings.
AeroTough GF does not require greasing over its operational life as the lubrication is built into the polymer formulation.
Marsh Brothers Aviation developed the proprietary alloy AeroTough GF exclusively for aircraft applications where historically, greased metallic bushings have been used.
The polymer science behind the material began with the Thomson-Gordon Group, a manufacturer of polymer bearings, seals and engineered mechanical components for diverse global markets since 1911.
George A. (Sandy) Thomson, innovator at the Thomson-Gordon Group said: “Creativity and advancements at Marsh Brothers Aviation are driven by the need for practical solutions of real world problems. The performance of the AeroTough GF bushings on the Aerostar has proven that greasing can be eliminated, weight is saved, maintenance costs can be greatly reduced and safety can be enhanced. This milestone has the potential to impact the design of all landing gear of the future.”
Further testing of AeroTough GF continues on other aircraft as there are broad opportunities to refit designs into many existing GA aircrafts including Beech Bonanza and Baron, King Air, Aerostar, light jets and eventually transport class airframes.
Corrosion processes are responsible for numerous losses mainly in the aviation industry. It is clear that the best way to combat it is prevention. In working with folks in the protective packaging industry, I know the importance of being pre-emptive when it comes to corrosion prevention or else you could wind up spending a lot more than you’d like.