Agricultural Aviation: the importance of lubrication in the efficiency and safety of the activity

According to the Brazilian Aeronautical Registry (RAB), Brazil has around 2.083 agricultural aircraft, the second largest fleet in the world, apart from 240 companies and 548 private operators. Furthermore, there are those who say that our fleet is one of the best in the world, using modern technologies that help with productivity in food production and firefighting.

And to ensure the full functioning of these machines, it is necessary to observe an important component for several of their parts: the lubricant. Lubrication is essential to maintain the aircraft's performance, reducing maintenance and overhaul intervals. Other common problems are increased plane inactivity, engine failures and even aircraft crashes.

“Correct lubrication is a critical point to ensure safety and prevent serious accidents from happening. Using the wrong or poor quality lubricant causes several losses, such as increased fuel consumption, in addition to the malfunction of parts and loss of flight performance”, explains Luiz Maldonado, CEO of Lubvap Lubrificantes Especiais, a distribution company with more than 15 years in the industrial lubrication solutions market.

Agricultural aviation is one of the activities considered essential to society, since agricultural aircraft have become essential for the production of food, fiber, biofuel and combating fires. In 2019 alone, more than 1.800 water releases were carried out against fires in environmental preservation areas and crops. “Lubrication is done routinely and a checklist needs to be carried out for each new flight or every 50h and 100h flown. In them, we observe the lubricating oil level, the landing pivot points, the engine and wheel bearing lubricants”, adds Maldonado.  

Despite being simple, the engines require special attention, as they work at high temperatures and speeds. The lubrication market offers high-performance options that promote excellent thermal and oxidative stability, resisting deterioration and the formation of deposits in the liquid, vapor and foam phases, such as the special lubricants of the Mobil Jet Oil line, AeroShell line and NYCO. “Products must have aeronautical approvals and offer efficiency in extending engine life, resistance to corrosion and wear and water resistance, for example”, concludes the CEO.

Lubvap is a reference in the biodegradable lubricants market for several sectors, such as Offshore, Agribusiness and many others. Its product portfolio has several options that meet any need, such as Special Biodegradable Greases; Hydraulic Fluids and, for gears, Cutting Fluids; Corrosion protection; Degreasers; and Hand Cleaner Biodegradable.