Rapco

Leaders in Product Innovation

Rapco, Inc. a Wisconsin-based company, has manufactured a variety of replacement FAA-approved products that include propeller de-ice components, pneumatic filters, exhaust gaskets, vacuum pumps and brake wear components since 1982.

Rapco, Inc. has become one of the industry leaders in innovative improvements to traditional designs.

Improved Propeller De-ice Components

Rapco Inc. started by making propeller de-ice brushes with an improved carbon compound that offers longer life. Next came de-ice leads that use stronger, more flexible wire, and special crimping equipment that helps to retain terminals and plugs for longer service life.

New Vacuum Pumps

Rapco then went on to design and build new FAA-approved vacuum pumps that have had several innovative improvements to include a beveled internal rotor that is less susceptible to foreign particle damage from the ingestion of excess carbon or dirt. Additionally, Rapco designed a new rotor cavity that has an advanced Mil. Spec. coating to provide optimum pump life and reduced vane wear. The new Rapco design also has cooling fins machined into the pump to provide better overall cooling and extended service life. Rapco now builds new 200 and 400 series pumps that have a wear port built into the top of the pump so that it is easily accessed by the maintenance technician. This port, along with its caliper for measuring the wear of the carbon vanes, takes the guesswork out of when to replace the vacuum pump.

New Pneumatic Components

Rapco, Inc. produces pneumatic components that optimize the performance of your vacuum system. Rapco pneumatic fittings are designed to allow air to flow smoothly for longer pump life and higher output. New regulators and check valves from Rapco replace life limited OEM units. Rapco also offers a complete pneumatic system that is used by aircraft manufactures and is also available for kit plane builders.

New Brake Linings

Rapco, Inc. is the only company in the aviation industry to mold a wear indicator into the side of their brake lining. Similar to autos or motorcycles, the aircraft owner can now check the wear to help determine when it’s time to replace the brake lining. The indicator is a small semi-circular impression in the side lining allowing for visual inspection from the side of the brake assembly.

Rapco’s new generation lining is made from a specialized composite high temperature Kevlar Fiber that bonds the combination of steel, copper and brass together making an improved friction material that not only provides excellent stopping but also extends the wear life of the brake discs.

New Nickel Brake Discs

Rapco is an industry leader in forged steel brake discs that are a FAA direct replacement disc for the Cleveland and McCauley originals. Rapco uses a heat treated one-piece forged design instead of a welded or cast disc. This provides for much stronger and better heat dissipation, thus reducing excessive lining wear. The one-piece forged design eliminates the corrosion cracking that occurs with the welded original discs and is four times stronger. As a corrosion preventative Rapco electroless nickel plates the disc to keep any rust from forming and corroding the wheel half assembly. This helps extend the overall life of the wheel halves. As we compared discs in the marketplace, Rapco’s were not only better than the original welded discs but they were considerably less expensive.

The Future

Rapco, Inc. is continuing to develop further innovations in general aviation, corporate, and commuter aftermarket parts. Rapco is currently FAA approving more products in the pneumatic and propeller de-ice areas. For further information contact the company at www.rapcoinc.com or by telephone at 800-527-2726.