Aircraft cleaning is very important for maximum efficiency. Aeroplanes can be washed by using a bucket of water, but even for small planes this is a chore. The best way to clean one is by using a power washer.
How to Wash Your Aircraft With a Power Washer
The tail is the dirtiest area, and this should be the starting point when washing a plane. A ladder should not be used when attempting to wash high areas, as the recoil from a pressure washer can easily knock someone to the ground. Instead, a pressure washer extension wand should be used, or this area should be cleaned by hand. The aircraft should be cleaned working from top to bottom, and from the tail towards the nose.
When aeroplane washing, the best results are achieved by working on small sections at a time. When cleaning the tail, the rudder should be turned to one side and then the other in order to clean the areas that are visible when the rudder is in use. Next the fuselage should be washed; this is a large area of the aircraft, and therefore extremely important. It is best to start from the bottom and work upwards.
For the engine area, extra amounts of detergent should be used, as this is where there are likely to be large blackened areas caused by engine exhaust. When washing the wings, the flaps should be pulled down to wash the area that is not visible unless they are in use. Finally, the wheels should be washed, and the plane should then be rinsed with plenty of fresh water.
Cleaning Aeroplane Windows
Aircraft windows need to be light, and are therefore made of acrylic, popularly known as plexi-glass. This can be very easily scratched, which is why great care needs to be taken when aircraft windows are cleaned.
The best way to wash the windows is to pour an entire bucket of water over the bubble or canopy to remove surface grit; alternatively, hose off the grit. Then wipe down lightly with a cotton cloth to remove lightly attached dirt. Up and down motions are better than circular movements, as these can cause scratching. Wiping should be done again with a cotton cloth. It is best not to attempt to clean every last spot, as one is likely to do more damage to the aircraft than it is worth to have a perfectly clean canopy.
Many people grab a paper towel and try to clean aircraft windows, but this is a bad idea, as the canopy invariably becomes damaged by this sort of treatment.
A clean aircraft looks better and will fly better. But the washing must be done properly using the correct materials if it is not to cause more harm than good.
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