Proper aeration of cavitating hydraulic equipment can greatly reduce cavitation intensity, noise, and damage. This thesis quantifies the benefit, in terms of damage and noise, from aerating six inch butterfly valve. The incipient damage level of cavitation was obtained for both aerated and non -ae ra ted conditions. The level is defined as one pit per square inch of a soft aluminum test specimen per one minute of operation. A description of the cavitation pits that occurred plus where they appeared is presented. A graph showing the aerated and non-aerated limits of incipient damage is given along with a table showing the percent reduct ion of damage from aeration. A graph and table are also given depicting the reduction in noise. The proper location of aeration ports to allow natural aeration is outlined .