Cleaning Aircraft - Inside and Outside

Frequency and Methods

• Manual, semi-automatic robots, and giant car washes.
• Passenger jets: 2-4 times a year
• Military aircraft: every 30 days (e.g., on aircraft carriers)

Reasons for Frequent Cleaning

• Safety & Maintenance: Prevents salt build-up, especially on aircraft carriers.
• Appearance & Confidence: Dirty aircraft can deter customers and lower ticket sales.
• Fuel Efficiency: Dirt causes drag; cleaning can save up to 2% in fuel.
• Maintenance: Easier to inspect for damage. Clean components last longer (e.g., paint).
• Corrosion Prevention: Especially critical in sandy/salt-water environments.

Methods of Cleaning

Traditional Methods

• Manual: Takes many hours and a lot of manpower (e.g., 5 people, 7 hours for a Boeing 737).
• Dry Wash: Special cleaning solutions applied and wiped off.

Robotic Methods

• Semi-Automatic Robots: Example: Nordic Dino, saves water & time (e.g., 30% less water, 80% faster).
• Military: Robots cleaning F-16s in 52 minutes vs. hours manually.
• Giant car wash style systems can wash in 30 minutes and de-ice.

Special Considerations

Interiors

• Often not clean 'enough'. Focus on trash, toilets, and vacuuming; headrests and tray tables less frequently cleaned.
• Seat back pockets almost never cleaned properly.

Exteriors

• Traditional methods use lots of water (660 to 3,000 gallons per aircraft).
• Dry washing reduces water use but needs chemicals and equipment.

Specific Cases

Military Aircraft

• Frequent Washing: Short intervals based on environment (e.g., saltwater, sandy areas).
• Tactical Rinse Systems: Quickly set up, recycles water, efficient in war zones.

Engines

• Need washing to improve performance and longevity.
• Cannot rely on rain; engines have water bypass ducts.
• Specialized cleaning systems replicate small contaminants for thorough cleaning.

Miscellaneous

Water Salutes

• Fire trucks create water arches for special occasions (retirements, new aircraft).
• Not always smooth; some mishaps have led to grounded aircraft due to wrong fluids.

Honey Trucks

• Empty aircraft waste tanks, connected via a giant vacuum.
• Routine but essential task for aircraft cleanliness.

Industry Trends

• Automation Increasing: Driven by staff shortages and efficiency needs.
• Long-term Savings: Frequent washing shortens investment payoff period.
• Technological Advances: Improved semi-automatic systems and materials compatibility.