Specialised aviation hydraulics: HYCOM’s expertise backed by HYDAC
Precision-engineered aviation hydraulics with world-class technology and dependable local support.
HYCOM, backed by HYDAC, delivers certified aviation hydraulic systems with local support for airlines and MROs across Africa.
In the aviation industry, where reliability is non-negotiable and regulatory standards leave no room for compromise, highly specialised hydraulic systems form the backbone of aircraft maintenance and operational safety.
HYCOM - a member of the HYDAC International Group with five decades of engineering expertise - stands as a global leader in this precision-driven field, particularly through its flagship technologies such as the mobile hydraulic test stand, RAT ground test equipment and advanced hydraulic purifier systems.
These core products support some of the most critical aspects of aircraft maintenance, ensuring functional integrity, hydraulic cleanliness and emergency system reliability.
Through its partnership with HYDAC South Africa, HYCOM’s aviation solutions are supported locally by strong engineering capability, dedicated service teams and an established regional supply network. The result is a combination of world-class technology and dependable local support.
Engineering solutions for a highly regulated industry
Aviation remains one of the most tightly regulated sectors worldwide, requiring equipment that not only meets technical specifications but also complies with layers of strict safety and performance standards.
“Aviation equipment is governed by exceptionally rigorous regulations,” explains Tinus Vermeulen, National Project Sales Manager at HYDAC South Africa.
“It is far more complex than assembling components and supplying a unit. Because of the safety-sensitive nature of the industry, every element of the equipment must be engineered with precision and validated through stringent approval processes.”
This complexity underscores the importance of HYCOM’s specialised focus. “Only a small number of companies globally possess the technical depth, specialised knowledge and regulatory experience to serve this sector effectively,” Mr Vermeulen notes. “HYCOM is one of the few with decades of practical expertise, and its fiftieth anniversary is testament to the company’s sustained excellence and deep understanding of aviation hydraulics.”
According to him, HYDAC’s partnership with HYCOM enhances this offering across Africa. “HYCOM brings proven engineering and certification; HYDAC provides world-class components and strong local support. Combined, this creates a powerful value proposition for aviation customers in South Africa, several countries in the SADC region and Kenya.
“HYDAC serves as the official regional representative of the HYCOM brand, ensuring access to equipment, parts, training and after-sales support.”
Serving airlines and MROs across the region
HYDAC supports a growing group of aviation customers ranging from full-service airlines to specialist maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) organisations.
These systems play an essential role in ground-based testing and maintenance. After a specific number of flight hours, aircrafts must undergo detailed inspections, functional tests and hydraulic fluid conditioning to ensure continued compliance and safety. HYCOM’s equipment is designed specifically for these tasks, enabling airlines and MROs to carry out testing and maintenance with precision and reliability.
A typical maintenance cycle illustrates this clearly: an aircraft returning from service may require a hydraulic systems evaluation before its next scheduled flight.
A HYCOM mobile hydraulic test stand is connected to the aircraft, technicians perform a full functional assessment, the hydraulic purifier conditions the oil to the required cleanliness and water content level, and the RAT ground test equipment verifies the emergency turbine system. This workflow reduces downtime and ensures full regulatory compliance.
Key HYCOM aviation systems supported by HYDAC
Mobile hydraulic test stands
One of HYCOM’s flagship systems is the mobile hydraulic test stand, which is a large, purpose-built machine designed to connect directly to an aircraft during ground maintenance. Once linked to the aircraft’s hydraulic system, it performs a comprehensive evaluation of the hydraulic flight control’s performance.
“This unit essentially gives technicians a comprehensive view of the aircraft’s hydraulic health,” says Mr Vermeulen. He explains that the system allows maintenance teams to conduct functional testing, carry out necessary maintenance and purify hydraulic fluid using a refined, user-friendly interface.
The equipment is supplied with aviation-grade hoses and accessories that meet the industry’s performance and safety requirements. Among others, Airbus and Boeing have fully certified HYCOM test stands for use on their respective fleets, and the use of HYCOM equipment is formally referenced in their maintenance documentation.
RAT ground test equipment
HYCOM’s RAT ground test equipment plays an equally critical role. It is used to verify the performance of the aircraft’s emergency power generation system, the ram air turbine, which deploys if an aircraft experiences an in-flight power failure.
“This is a critical component designed to keep essential systems operational during an emergency,” Mr Vermeulen explains. “HYCOM’s RAT test equipment ensures that this unit performs precisely as it must under the conditions it may one day encounter.”
Hydraulic purifier
Another essential system is HYCOM’s hydraulic purifier. Hydraulic oil naturally accumulates water, particles and dissolved gases, all of which can compromise safety and equipment lifespan. Contaminated oil accelerates wear, increases the risk of component failure and undermines the reliability of an aircraft’s hydraulic systems.
HYCOM’s purifier significantly reduces these risks by removing water to below 1000 parts per million (ppm), eliminating nearly all free gases and most dissolved gases and achieving particle cleanliness levels as high as NAS 3. Its mobile design allows it to be positioned conveniently next to the aircraft during maintenance, making it both practical and effective in operational environments.
Additional aviation tools and systems
HYCOM’s aviation offering extends further to include internal leak-test applications, hangar supply systems, fuel system testing equipment and a range of monitoring and maintenance instruments, all designed to integrate seamlessly into the aircraft maintenance workflow.
Comprehensive local service and training
Beyond supplying equipment, HYDAC provides extensive lifecycle support to ensure customers derive maximum value and reliability from their systems. This includes the availability of spare parts, commissioning assistance, operational support and comprehensive training.
Spare Parts
Commissioning Assistance
Operational Support
Comprehensive Training
“Our service teams can assist customers directly at their premises,” Mr Vermeulen says. “If a client purchases a unit and requires help operating it, we can perform commissioning, provide training and offer hands-on guidance until they are completely comfortable with the equipment.”
HYDAC’s Johannesburg training centre offers structured, in-house instruction, while HYCOM engineers are available to provide remote support whenever specialised expertise is required. With an expanding distributor network across the SADC region and into broader Africa, HYDAC is steadily increasing access to advanced aviation hydraulic knowledge and technical support on the continent.
Conclusion
HYCOM delivers internationally certified, precision-engineered aviation hydraulic systems, while HYDAC ensures these solutions are supported locally with robust engineering capability, training services and after-sales assistance. Together, they provide airlines and MROs across the region with a comprehensive, high-integrity offering, pairing world-leading aviation technology with dependable, accessible regional support.
