When you’ve spent decades in aircraft maintenance, you learn one thing: the smallest overlooked step can create the biggest problems.
Oil servicing is one of those areas. Ask any engineer about their “most painful filler,” and you’ll hear stories of impossible angles, cramped cowls, and spilled oil. For me, those hard-to-reach oil fillers, 5–6 inches down the filler door opening, narrow as anything, and a guaranteed spill waiting to happen.
That’s exactly why I designed the FunnelCap.
Built for the Real World
Aircraft maintenance doesn’t happen in perfect conditions. Funnels and cans are exposed to hangar dust, open toolboxes, and sometimes even windy field ops. One splash, one speck of debris, and you’re introducing risk into the system.
In aviation maintenance, even the smallest tool must meet the highest standards of reliability. Lubricant funnels and oil transfer equipment are often exposed to harsh conditions—hydraulic fluids, open hangar environments, field operations—and the risks of contamination or material failure are always present.
But how do you prove a product’s durability when faced with the harshest chemicals used in aviation?
We put it to the test.
The Challenge: Skydrol
For those who work with hydraulic systems, Skydrol needs no introduction. It’s one of the most aggressive hydraulic fluids in aerospace:
- Direct skin contact causes a burning sensation.
- It eats into many materials.
- It pushes seals, plastics, and polymers to their limits.
The question was simple: could a FunnelCap survive extended exposure to Skydrol?
The Test: 4 Days of Immersion
We fully submerged a FunnelCap in Skydrol for four continuous days, simulating real-world exposure scenarios that maintenance teams might encounter in harsh environments.
This wasn’t just about testing convenience. It was about proving:
- Chemical resistance under prolonged contact
- Structural durability under stress
- Reliability when it matters most
The Results: No Compromise
After four days, the FunnelCap showed:
- No swelling
- No warping
- No softening
In short: no degradation whatsoever. The material integrity remained fully intact, proving that FunnelCaps are built not just for routine operations, but for extreme conditions as well.
Why It Matters
Aircraft maintenance is a discipline of precision. Every choice, from the largest turbine to the smallest cap, plays a role in ensuring safety and efficiency. A failure in even the most minor component can have costly consequences.
Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention isn’t just a checklist item. It’s a mindset. Every drop of oil that bypasses contamination risks keeps engines healthier, reduces downtime, and saves money in the long run.
The FunnelCap is one of those tools that doesn’t just pass an audit; it helps crews work smarter and safer every single day.
From Storage to Servicing
FunnelCaps are an essential part of a FOD-free servicing process. When combined with DustCaps and TheCanKey oil can opener, they create a closed-loop system that protects lubricant quality from storage to servicing:
- DustCap: keep dust and dirt out, even in storage rooms or line vans.
- FunnelCap: makes oil filling clean, simple, and spill-free.
- TheCanKey: the aircraft engineer’s choice, certified FOD-free oil can opener.
Final Thought
If you’ve ever struggled with a narrow filler neck or lost precious oil to a spill, you already know why the FunnelCap exists. It’s the practical solution born out of real hangar frustrations, built to handle extreme conditions.
One less painful step. One less overlooked risk. That’s the difference.
Torben
Founder, TheCanKey
