Improving Your Bottom Line
Lower drag = Fuel saved
But there are other money-saving benefits that ToughGuard-Aero® delivers
Reduced Labor Costs
According to Boeing, surface coatings have been observed to reduce washing frequency requirements for commercial airplanes, with a typical improvement from a 60-day to a 240-day cycle. Because of our formulation, a properly protected aircraft will see a reduction in the amount of time required to maintain a clean appearance thereby reducing labor costs.
Reduced Drag
Boeing research shows the most effective means of reducing drag is by maintaining an aerodynamically clean airplane. The resulting reduction in dirt and insect adhesion could result in reduced excrescence drag. Increased fuel efficiency is a net result of maintaining clean aircraft.
Paint-Life Extension
ToughGuard-Aero®’s barrier protects the paint against surface degradation. Because the paint is protected against harmful environmental factors the lifetime of the paint is extended by up to 50% of the normal paint life expectation which adds to your bottom line.
Boeing estimated fuel burn penalty of unwashed airplanes
| Airplane Model | Fuel Burn Penalty (Gallons/Year/Airplane) | Reference Mission/Utilization |
|---|---|---|
| Next-Generation 737 | 2,200 | 500 nmi mission 2,420 flights/year |
| 767 | 7,000 | 3000 nmi mission 725 flights/year |
| 787-8 | 10,300 | 6000 nmi mission 470 flights/year |
| 777 | 15,500 | 6,000 nmi mission 470 flights/year |
| 747-400/-8 | 21,700 | 6000 nmi mission 470 flights/year |
The expected fuel burn penalties associated with an unwashed airplane are based on the listed reference mission stage length and number of flights per year, factoring the results for alternate usages. The penalties also assume the same ratio of contaminated area to the airplane’s respective reference wing area exists, as was observed in an inspection of an in-service 747 airframe (12 percent). If an airplane has a greater level of surface roughness, and/or a higher percentage of surface area being contaminated, the actual fuel penalty may be higher than shown here.