MIL 5606
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
If there is a bulk oil distributor in your area that also handles aircraft oils, chances are he also can carry 5606.
I've been buying engine oil from my distributor for years but always struggling to keep a supply of 5606 oil. finally asked him a couple days ago. and he said yup been carrying it for years!! pure stupidity on my part.
Lots cheaper that way and saves on the Hazardous freight.
I've been buying engine oil from my distributor for years but always struggling to keep a supply of 5606 oil. finally asked him a couple days ago. and he said yup been carrying it for years!! pure stupidity on my part.
Lots cheaper that way and saves on the Hazardous freight.
Brian S.
54 C-180 - - - 55 PA-18
Oliver 88
54 C-180 - - - 55 PA-18
Oliver 88
Be aware that Mil-H-5606 came in various and subsequent desginations of 5606-A or -B or -C etc... They're all interchangeable for purposes of our aircraft brake fluid (and for oleo struts if you have them on another Cessna.) Just don't make the mistake of mixing it with other fluids such as automotive brake fluid or "DOT" type fluids or with other aviation fluids such as "Skydrol", etc.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
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Strangely enough, back in my motorcycle days (70's & 80's), the local harley shop sold "aviation brake fluid" which was popular, as it was commonly believed that it wouldn't eat your paint like the regular automotive stuff allegedly would. This aviation fluid was some sort of clear silicone-based stuff. Since I've been into flying I think I've never seen anything other than 5606 used for brakes or other hydraulic systems on light GA planes.
Eric
Eric
For the information and education of all you junior birdmen (Remember, I'm a real old fart.), aircraft hydraulic brake systems used to contain natural rubber in their parts. As a result, petroleum based hydraulic fluids could not be used. They used to call petroleum based hydraulic fluid "Red" fluid or AN/VVO 366.
Hydraulic brake systems used "Blue" fluid which I remember as being a vegetable based oil, soluable only in alcohol. I remember that it dried to a gummy residue around any spillage or leaks and we cleaned it up with isopropyl alcohol. During WW2 the development of synthetic rubbers allowed the natural rubber seals ane other parts to die a natural death and brought on the use of, and standardization of, petroleum based hydraulic fluid which finally became "5606". I really have no idea why they still use a non petroleum brake fluid in automotive applications. They surely can't be using any natural rubber anymore.
Hydraulic brake systems used "Blue" fluid which I remember as being a vegetable based oil, soluable only in alcohol. I remember that it dried to a gummy residue around any spillage or leaks and we cleaned it up with isopropyl alcohol. During WW2 the development of synthetic rubbers allowed the natural rubber seals ane other parts to die a natural death and brought on the use of, and standardization of, petroleum based hydraulic fluid which finally became "5606". I really have no idea why they still use a non petroleum brake fluid in automotive applications. They surely can't be using any natural rubber anymore.
BL
I called several bulk suppliers here in Canada and the 5056 is an engineering specification but none could tell me a brand name so i could go out and buy a can of the stuff. What brands do you guys use? My local cessna dealer has fluid for his own use but couldn't put me intouch with his local supplier for some reason . One supplier mentioned something called Air Shell fluid #41 but unless i can get some one to say the stuff is infact brake fluid I ain't putting in my planeG
- Bruce Fenstermacher
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DO NOT PUT BRAKE FLIUD IN YOUR AIRPLANE
5606 is the MIL-spec it doesn't matter what the manufacturer calls it. If it meets the Mil-spec it's good to use.
I bought a quart a few years ago from Aircraft Spruce. The name on the can is American Oil and Supply.
5606 is the MIL-spec it doesn't matter what the manufacturer calls it. If it meets the Mil-spec it's good to use.
I bought a quart a few years ago from Aircraft Spruce. The name on the can is American Oil and Supply.
CAUTION - My forum posts may be worth what you paid for them!
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
Simatos, accuracy is important here. It's NOT 5056 and it's NOT "brake fluid". It's MIL H 5606 and it's "Hydraulic Fluid". It may have a further definition such as MIL H 5606(G) or such, but the basic number is:simatos wrote:I called several bulk suppliers here in Canada and the 5056 is an engineering specification but none could tell me a brand name so i could go out and buy a can of the stuff. What brands do you guys use? My local cessna dealer has fluid for his own use but couldn't put me intouch with his local supplier for some reason . One supplier mentioned something called Air Shell fluid #41 but unless i can get some one to say the stuff is infact brake fluid I ain't putting in my planeG
MIL H 5606 and it can be used for all sorts of hydraulic applications including as a brake fluid in our Cessna 170s. It may be purchased via:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/l ... l_bflu.php
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.