Hydro-Aire History

Because of the World War II effort, the firm moved to Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles and began designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing components for aircraft, particularly aircraft hydraulic system components.

Initial floor space was no more than a few hundred square feet and there were approximately twelve employees. The firm's initial products were hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic check valves, fuel check valves and selector valves - all to aircraft specifications.

First Antiskid System Developed

In 1946, Boeing started design and development of an antiskid system for the B-47 bomber. In 1948, Hydro-Aire was licensed by Boeing to design, produce and market the Hytrol Mark I antiskid brake control system. That year the Mark I system became an operational part of the B-47 military aircraft, followed by the B-52 in 1952, the F-100, C-130 and the RF84F in 1954. Two more military aircraft were added to the Mark I list, the KC-135 and the B-26 and the first commercial jetliner, Boeing's 707-100 in 1956.

Other products added before 1950 included fuel filters, electro-mechanical actuators, fractional and integral hp electric motors, fuel gate valves, hot air valves, and a large variety of pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical control devices.

Crane Purchases Hydro-Aire

By 1951, the company's volume had grown to approximately $5 million a year. The firm had moved its headquarters to the present Burbank location, where it occupied about 25,000 square feet of floor space and employed about 350 people. In December, 1951, the assets of the company were acquired by Crane Co., and Hydro-Aire, Inc. was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of Crane Co.

During the thirteen months from December, 1951 to January, 1953, Hydro-Aire doubled its sales volume to over $11 million. Several small plants were leased in the immediate area and construction was completed on a two-story tilt-up concrete structure of approximately 45,000 square feet at 3000 Winona Avenue (our present site). This was the first structure of this type to be assembled in the San Fernando Valley. Additional equipment was leased from the U.S. Air Force. An Electronics Division was set up for the purpose of manufacturing and marketing transistors and other semiconductor devices.

The company received a contract for the development of a turbodrive, and a turbo-machinery engineering group was organized. The volume of jet engine accessories increased sharply. Development, customer contact, and test installations on our "Hytrol" antiskid brake control system all progressed admirably.

Hytrol Product Line

In 1954, the "Hytrol" system was selected as standard equipment for several high-production military airplanes and progress was made in the marketing of our pump line.

From 1961 through 1968, "Hytrol" Mark II antiskid system was developed and improved with new applications for commercial, military, and the first business jet aircraft, such as: 707, CV990, DC8, 727, F4, KC135, VC137, RF4C, DC9, C-130, BAC 1-11, P127, RA5C, 382C, Learjet, C5A, Jetstar, XC-1, and Guppy.

This tremendous growth of Hydro-Aire's antiskid brake control systems can be attributed to continuing research and development to attain perfection. Hydro-Aire has advanced through Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, Mark IV, Mark V to always be the world leader in antiskid brake control systems. Additional advantages have been added to the systems to meet specific needs, such as "Autobrake," "Brake-By-Wire," "Fiber Optics Transducers," "Brake Temperature Monitoring" and "Rejected Take Off" capabilities.

Apollo 11

Hydro-Aire was a participant in the NASA Apollo 11 flight which put the Lunar Module on the moon. The Lunar Module, which contained three of Hydro-Aire's coolant pumps (keeping the capsule and electronic equipment at optimum temperatures), landed on Apollo Site 2, in the Sea of Tranquility in 1969.

Enters the Fuel Pump Market

Also in 1969, Hydro-Aire entered a new market, the turbine engine-driven main fuel pumps for Pratt & Whitney aircraft jet engines for use on their F-14B and F-15 aircraft engine. This same design concept was applied to other military and civilian aircraft for engine fuel and hydraulic pumps.

In 1970, the Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration issued Hydro-Aire an Air Agency Certificate upon finding that its organization complies in all respects with the requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations relating to the establishment of an Air Agency, and is empowered to operate an approved Repair Station, number QD3R785L. This rating covers all products manufactured by Hydro-Aire.

Acquires Adel for Hydraulic Controls & Fuel Boost Pumps

The year 1972 was a very successful period for Hydro-Aire with the acquisition of the Adel Aerospace Products Division of DeLaval Turbine, Inc. The Adel acquisition increased the sales base by 50% and added some 150 new products primarily in the hydraulic field and opened sales in the general aviation market for hydraulic controls and fuel boost pumps.

 Hydro-Aire is one of the leaders in advanced machining techniques, having installed the first computer controlled machining centers in Southern California. Today, over 85% of the various parts manufactured are fabricated on computer controlled machines.

We continue to modernize and dynamically shift with the aerospace industry needs. Our current product lines are an important part of the many aircraft, and we will continue to improve upon the technology, services and solutions to the aviation industry. As you can see, Hydro-Aire has a rich history, as well as a splendid future.