JET AIRWAYS

AIRCRAFT CLEANING
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

• AIRCRAFT CLEANING IS VERY

IMPORTANT BOTH FROM THE TECHNICAL
POINT OF VIEW AND THE PASSENGER
POINT OF VIEW.
• EVERY PASSENGER INTERVIEWED
EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO TRAVEL IN THE
AIRCRAFT WHICH IS CLEAN BOTH FROM
THE EXTERIOR AND THE INTERIOR.
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
• AN AIRCRAFT THAT IS CLEAN FROM THE
EXTERIOR GIVES THE PASSENGER
CONFIDENCE THAT HE IS TRAVELLING IN A
NEW AND WELL MAINTAINED AIRCRAFT.
• THIS IMPRESSION IS FURTHER RE-INFORCED
IF THE INTERIOR IS ALSO CLEAN AND NEAT.
• THE PASSENGER SPENDS A FEW HOURS IN THE
AIRCRAFT, A PLEASANT AND CLEAN INTERIOR
AND SURROUNDING MAKES THE PASSENGER
HAPPY AND RELIEVES HIS TENSIONS AND FEAR
OF FLYING.
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
• THE PASSENGER HAS CHOSEN TO TRAVEL BY
JET AIRWAYS MAY BE DUE TO COMPULSION OR
CONVENIENCE OF TIME OR ATTRACTIVE FARE
ETC.
• HIS IMPRESSION OF JET AIRWAYS, AND HIS
EXPERIENCE OF THE SERVICES OFFERED BY
JET AIRWAYS IS GREATLY INFLUENCED BY THE
AIRCRAFT EXTERIOR CLEANLINESS AND THE
AIRCRAFT INTERIOR
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

• A BROAD SURVEY CARRIED OUT TO FIND

OUT WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO
THE PASSENGERS CHOICE OF THEIR
FAVOURITE AIRLINE
• THE PASSENGERS RESPONDED WITH THE
FOLLOWING PRIORITY :
 PASSENGER PRIORITY
1. GOOD INFLIGHT SERVICE
2. CLEAN AND GOOD LOOKING AIRCRAFT EXTERIOR
AND PLEASANT, CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE INTERIOR
PASSENGER CABIN. THE SEAT COVERS ARE CLEAN
AND SPOTLESS. THE HEAD REST COVERS ARE CLEAN.
THE SIDEWALL AND CEILING PANELS ARE LOOKING
NEW AND SHINING.
3. GOOD INFLIGHT FOOD
4. GOOD INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
5. CONVENIENT TIMING OF FLIGHT
6. HASSLELESS TICKET BOOKING & CHECK-IN
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

• AIRCRAFT CLEANING IS ALSO

IMPORTANT FROM A TECHNICAL POINT
OF VIEW.
• A CLEAN AIRCRAFT PRODUCES LESS
DRAG AND HAS IMPROVED FUEL
CONSUMPTION.
• A FILM OF DIRT ON THE AIRCRAFT
REDUCES FLYING SPEED AND ADDS
EXTRA WEIGHT.
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

• DIRT/THRASH BOUNCING AROUND THE

INSIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT IS ANNOYING
AND DANGEROUS.
• SMALL PIECES OF DIRT CAN BLOW INTO
THE PILOTS EYES AT A CRITICAL
MOMENT AND CAUSE AN EMERGENCY/
ACCIDENT
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
• DIRT CAN HIDE CRACKS IN THE SKIN AND THE
STRUCTURES
• DUST AND GRIT MAY CAUSE HINGE FITTINGS
TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY
• A LAYER OF DIRT ON MOVING PARTS MAY
CAUSE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND OTHER DAMAGE.
WORKING CLEARANCES OF MOVING PARTS ARE
RELATIVELY MINUTE AND SMALL PARTICLES
MAY CAUSE SCORING OR SEIZURE OF
WORKING SURFACES
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
• THE PRESENCE OF LOOSE EXTRANEOUS
ARTICLES SUCH AS NUTS, BOLTS,
RIVETS, OFF-CUTS OF WIRE OR SHEET
METAL AND HAND TOOLS INSIDE A
STRUCTURE MAY CAUSE JAMMING OR
RESTRICTION OF VITAL FLIGHT/ ENGINE
CONTROLS AND HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO
RESULT IN SERIOUS AIRCRAFT
INCIDENTS.
 AIRCRAFT STRUCTRES

• IN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, SMALL

METAL PARTICLES OF DIRT CAN CAUSE
DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION OF WIRES
AND CAUSE SHORT CIRCUITS
• THE INGRESS OF SUCH PARTICLES INTO
SWITCHES, SOLENOIDS, ACTUATORS
ETC. MAY RESULT IN MALFUNCTION
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
• THE PRESENCE OF EXTRANEOUS FLUIDS, DUE
TO SPILLAGE OR LEAKS, MAY HAVE SERIOUS
DELETERIOUS EFFECTS.
• CERTAIN FLUIDS, SUCH AS ESTER BASED
ENGINE OIL, HYDRAULIC FLUID ETC. WILL
DAMAGE PROTECTIVE TREAMENTS OF
MATERIALS, BONDING COMPOUNDS, ELECTRIC
CABLES, RUBBER MOULINGS, TYRES ETC. SUCH
FLUIDS ALSO INCREASE THE FIRE HAZARDS,
ESPECIALLY IN THE VICINITY OF ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT OR ENGINE INSTALLATIONS.
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
• DIRT AND SPILLAGES MAY HAVE A SERIOUS
CORRODING EFFECT ON EXPOSED METAL
PARTS OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND MUST BE
CLEANED IMMEDIATELY
• IN REMOTE AREAS OF THE STRUCTURE, DIRT
OR DUST TEND TO ACCUMULATE AND COULD
ACT AS A WICK FOR MOISTURE, WHICH MAY
PENETRATE AND PROMOTE CORROSION OF
THE STRUCTURE
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

• SERIOUS CONTAMINATION MAY BE

CAUSED BY SPILLAGE OF TOILET FLUIDS,
MERCURY AND OTHER CHEMICALS
• THE PRESENCE OF EXTRANEOUS
MATTER, ESPECIALLY OF AN OILY OR
GREASY NATURE IN CONTACT WITH
AVIATION OXYGEN IS EXPLOSIVE.
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
• IT IS VERY ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE A HIGH
STANDARD OF AIRCRAFT CLEANLINESS, BOTH
EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR
• PERSONNEL ENGAGED IN AIRCRAFT CLEANING
SHOULD WEAR OVERALLS FITTED WITH
CLOSED POCKETS TO PREVENT SMALL TOOLS,
TORCHES, PEN, PENCIL ETC. FROM FALLING
INTO AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE. SUITABLE
FOOTWEAR SHOULD ALSO BE WORN TO
PROTECT AIRCRAFT SURFACES/ STRUCTURES
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

• AN INVENTORY OF ALL TOOLS, RAGS,

CLEANING CONSUMBLES ETC. TAKEN TO
AN AIRCRAFT FOR SERVICING PURPOSES
SHOULD BE MADE AND CHECKED WHEN
THE WORK IS COMPLETED. NO ITEM
SHOULD BE LEFT ON THE AIRCRAFT/
STRUCTURE, AS THEY COULD HAVE A
DISASTROUS EFFECT
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
• AIRCRAFT IS CLEANED PERIODICALLY AS PART
OF ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
• THE CLEANING SOLVENTS ARE DETAILED IN
THE RELEVANT MAINTENANCE MANUAL, AND
IN NO CASE UNAUTHORISED SOLVENTS OR
DETERGENTS SHOULD BE USED.
• CHLORINATED SOLVENTS SUCH AS
TRICHLORETHYLENE OR CARBON
TETRACHLORIDE SHOULD NOT BE USED
INSIDE THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO TOXIC FUMES
GIVEN OFF BY THESE LIQUIDS
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
The Cleaning Agents used on the aircraft
are:
Solvents
Emulsion cleaners
Soaps
Synthetic Detergents
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

• THE SOAP AND SYNTHETIC DETERGENT

TYPE CLEANERS ARE USED FOR LIGHT
DUTY CLEANING, WHILE THE SOLVENT
AND EMULSION TYPE CLEANERS ARE
USED FOR HEAVY DUTY CLEANING
• THE LIGHT DUTY CLEANERS ARE NON
TOXIC AND NONFLAMMABLE AND
SHOULD BE USED WHENEVER POSSIBLE
AIRCRAFT EXTERIOR CLEANING

AIRCRAFT
EXTERIOR CLEANING

WET WASH DRY WASH POLISHING

MECHANICAL
HAND POLISHING
POLISHING
Exterior cleaning
• Wet Wash:-
- Removes oils, grease or carbon deposits and most
soils with the exception of corrosion and oxide films
- Either alkaline or emulsion cleaners are
used. Application is by spray or mop
after which high pressure running water is
- Used as a rinse.
• Dry Wash:-
- Resorted to remove dust and small
accumulation of dirt. This is not suitable
for heavy deposits of carbon, grease or
oil, especially in the exhaust area.

- Dry wash material is applied with spray,

mops or cloths and removed by dry
mopping or wiping with clean dry cloths.
• Polishing :-
Polishing restores luster. It is also
used to remove oxidation and corrosion.
AIRCRAFT WASHING
• Washing of the aircraft to be done in a shade if possible
or streak lines will be formed.
• Before washing, install covers to all openings
• Painting should not be scrubbed with stiff brushes or
coarse rags.
• A soft sponge or cheese cloth with a minimum of
manual rubbing is advisable.

• Any grease/oil on the painted surface should be

removed with a solvent. The surface should be rinsed
immediately after cleaning to prevent the compound
from drying on the surface.

• After cleaning, lubricate all grease fittings, hinges etc.,

where removal, contamination or dilution of the grease
is suspected during washing.
AIRCRAFT WASHING

• The aircraft Radome that houses the radar

and the area forward of the cockpit that
are finished with a dull paint, should not
be cleaned more than necessary and
should never be scrubbed with stiff
brushes or coarse rags.
• A soft sponge or cheesecloth with a
minimum of manual rubbing is advisable.
Plastic Surface Cleaning

• Flush with fresh water to dissolve salt and to flush dust

• Wash with soap and water
• Rinse with fresh water
• Dry with Chamois or absorbent cotton

• DO NOT RUB DOWN PLASTIC, IT CAUSES SCRATCHES AS

WELL AS THEY GET ELECTRO STATICALLY CHARGED,
THUS ATTRACTS MORE DUST.

• SHOULD NEVER BE CLEANED WITH ANY SOLVENT

( INCLUDING DEICER), IT SOFTENS THE MATERIAL
AND CAUSES CRAZING.
Aircraft Interior Cleaning
- Interior cleaning is as important as exterior cleaning.
Corrosion can establish on the inside structure to a
greater degree because it is difficult to reach some areas
for cleaning.

- When ever possible, to reduce to the minimum of fire

and explosion hazards non-flammable agents should be
used for cleaning inside of the aircraft.
Aircraft Cleaning

- Use of vacuum cleaner is recommended

for sucking out all small bits of metal and
non-metal, Dirt and grit from inside the
aircraft.
- Oil or grease stains should be removed
with the aid of a cleaner recommended by
the manufacturer
Types of Cleaning Operations

The types of cleaning operation depends

on the principal areas of aircraft which
needs periodic cleaning

• Aircraft passenger cabin area

• Aircraft flight station areas
• Lavatories and galley areas
Non-flammable Aircraft Cabin
Cleaning agents
1. Detergent and Soaps
- Widely used for most cleaning
operations
- Care should be taken not to apply to
surfaces/items which are shrinkable and
not color fast
- Care should be taken not to retard the fire
resistance properties of the item on which the
agent is applied.
AIRCRAFT CLEANING

2. Alkaline Cleaner
Most of these agents are water soluble.
So care should be taken not to use the
agent in abundance so that the fire
resistance property of the surface /item
is not lost
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

3. Acid Solutions
- They are mostly mild solutions
designed
primarily to remove carbon or corrosive
stains.
- Care should be taken to protect
skin/eyes during application.
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
4. Deodorizing or Disinfecting Agents
- Most of them are non-flammable and
are designed for spray application.

- Generally they have non-flammable

pressurizing agent. But some have
flammable agents. Hence care should
be taken during usage.
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

5. Abrasives
- They are non-flammable. Mild abrasive
materials are available for rejuvenating
painted or plastic surface.
AIRCRAFT CLEANING

6. Dry Cleaning Agents

- Perchloroethylene and Trichloroethylene
at room temperature are non-
flammable.
- They are toxic and hence care should be
taken during application.
- They may affect the fire retardant
properties of the articles similar to the
water soluble agents.
 FIRE PREVENTION
PRECAUTIONS
During aircraft cleaning or refurbishing operation
where flammable or combustible liquids are
used, the general safeguards recommended are:
• Cabin should be provided with ventilation,
sufficient at all times to prevent the
accumulation of flammable vapors. To
accomplish this, keep all doors open. When
natural ventilation is not sufficient, provide
mechanical ventilation.
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING
• All open flame and spark producing
equipment or device that might be
brought within the vapor hazard area
should be shut down.
• Electrical equipment of hand portable
nature used within an aircraft cabin shall
be of type approved for Class I , Group D
Hazardous locations as defined by
National Electrical Code.
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

• Switches to aircraft cabin lighting and to

the aircraft electrical components within
the cabin area should not be worked ON
or switched OFF during the cleaning.
• Suitable warning signs should be placed in
conspicuous location at the doors to
indicate that flammable liquids are being
used in cleaning operation.
 FIRE PROTECTION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Aircraft undergoing cleaning with flammable liquids
should preferably be located outside of the
hanger when weather condition permit.

• Portable fire extinguishers be provided at the

entrance having minimum rating of 20-B and at
minimum, a booster hose line with adjustable
spray nozzle be available capable of reaching the
cabin area for use pending the arrival of the
airport fire equipments.
• As an alternate provide a Class A fire
extinguisher having a minimum rating of 4-A
plus or a Class B fire extinguisher having
minimum rating of 20-B at the aircraft cabin
doors.
 AIRCRAFT CLEANING

• Dry chemical type fire extinguishers

should not be used in situations where
aluminum corrosion is a problem.
• Operators are urged to use the fire
extinguishers on board, in case of any
fire incident
SOLVENT CLEANERS

• Solvent cleaners used in aircraft cleaning

should have a flash point not less than
105degree F if explosion
• of all types meet the non-flammable
requirements but are toxic and hence
safety precautions are to be taken.
1. Dry-cleaning solvents
- They are mostly petroleum based
solvents. Its flash point is slightly above
105degree F and can be used to
remove grease, oils and light soils.

- Like Kerosene, dry cleaning solvents do

leave a slight residue upon evaporation which
hinders the application of some final paint.
2. Aliphatic and Aromatic Naphtha
- Aliphatic naphtha is recommended for
wipe down cleaning just before painting.

- This material also can be used to clean

acrylic s and rubber. Its flash point is low
80 degree F and hence care should be taken.

- Aromatic naphtha is toxic and attacks acrylic

and rubber products.
3. Safety Solvents
- Trichlroethane is used for general
cleaning and grease removal.

- It is non-flammable under ordinary

circumstances, and is used as a
replacement for carbon tetrachloride.

- The precautions when using chlorinated

solvents must be observed.
4. Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
- MEK also is available as a solvent
cleaner for metal surface and paint
stripper for small areas.
- It is toxic when inhaled.
- It has a low flash point about 24 degree
F
5. Kerosene
- Kerosene is mixed with solvent-emulsion type cleaners
for softening heavy preservative coating. It also is
used for general solvent cleaning, but its use should be
followed by a coating or rinse with protective agent.

- Kerosene does not evaporate readily, and generally

leaves an film on the cleaned surface, which may be
corrosive.

- Kerosene films may be removed with safety solvents,

water emulsion cleaners or detergent mixtures
6. Cleaning Compound for Oxygen Systems

- Anhydrous ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol or a

mixture of Freon and isopropyl alcohol are used as
cleaning agent.

- These may be used to clean accessible components of

the oxygen system such as crew masks and lines.

- Do not use any cleaning compounds which may leave

any oily film when cleaning oxygen equipments.

- Care should be taken not to inhale vapors and skin

contact while using Freon-alcohol.
Emulsion cleaners

- Solvent and water emulsion compounds

are used in general cleaning.

- Solvent emulsions are used in the

removal of heavy deposits such as
carbon, grease, oil or tar. When used as
instructed, it do not affect good paint
coatings or organic finishes.
1. Water emulsion cleaners:

- MIL-C-22543A specification covers

water emulsion cleaners and they can
be used on painted/unpainted and on
acrylic surfaces. However, these
properties vary with materials and always it is
better to test before generally declaring the
use.
2. Solvent –Emulsion Cleaners

They are of two types, Phenolic and Non-

Phenolic base.

- Non-Phenolic type can be safely used on painted

surfaces without softening the base paint. But repeated
usage may soften the acrylic nitrocellulose lacquers. It is
effectively used to lift heavy preservative coating.

- The Phenolic base is used for heavy duty application,

but tends to soften paint coating. Care must be taken
when using this material near rubber or non-metallic
parts.
SOAPS AND DETERGENT CLEANERS

- Specification MIL-C-5410 Type I and type II

material are generally used for cleaning of
painted and unpainted surface for removal of
light to medium soils, oils or grease stains.

- They are safe to use in all surfaces including

fabric, leather and transparent plastics.

- The plastics should not be cleaned more than

necessary and should never be scrubbed with
stiff brushes