Best Practice and Precautions Related to Aircraft Technical Cleaning and Pre Inspection Preparation

Important Note

In every case follow the specific task guidance from the manufactures technical documentation.

Introduction

To allow the build-up of a film of dirt can actually reduce the flying efficiency of the aircraft as well as to adds extra weight. It is also possible for dirt to obscure or hide cracks, moreover dust and grit ingress can cause excessive wear of hinge fittings.

Conversely ensuring the aircraft remains clean supports the delivery of the best possible aircraft inspection performance and consequently better results.

Light- or Heavy-Duty Cleaners?

Soap and Synthetic Detergent-Type Cleaners are used for light-duty cleaning

Solvent and Emulsion-Type Cleaners are used for Heavy-Duty Cleaning.

Non- toxic and non-flammable product should be used whenever possible.

Wet Wash removes oil, grease, carbon deposits, and most soils, with the exception of corrosion and oxide films. The cleaning compounds used are generally applied by spray or mop. Then medium-pressure running water is used as a rinse. either alkaline or emulsion cleaners can be used in the wet wash method.

Dry Wash is used to remove airport film, dust, and small accumulations of dirt and soil when the use of liquids is neither desirable nor practical. This method is not suitable for removing heavy deposits of carbon, grease, or oil, especially in the engine exhaust areas. Dry wash materials are applied with spray, mops, or cloths and removed by dry mopping or wiping with clean, dry cloths.

Surface oil, hydraulic fluid, grease, or fuel can be removed from aircraft tires by washing with a mild soap solution. after cleaning, lubricate all grease fittings, hinges, and so forth, where removal, contamination, or dilution of the grease is suspected during washing of the aircraft.

Cautions

a) To be careful when you clean the airplane in very hot weather. The heated surface of the airplane can dry the cleaning products before you can flush them with water. The dried cleaners can then stain the surface.

b) Ideally the washing of aircraft should be performed in the shade whenever possible, install covers over all openings where water or cleaners might enter and cause damage. Pay particular attention to instrument system components, such as pitot­static fittings and ports.

c) Do not remove the layer of grease from mechanical joints. This grease lubricates the joint and prevents corrosion.

d) Make sure you flush the surface sufficiently to remove all of the cleaner. The cleaner can cause corrosion if it is not removed fully from the airplane surface.

e) Keep the nozzle of spray equipment more than 12 inches (30.5 cm) away from the surface of the airplane. The spray can cause damage to the surface.

f) Raise a task to lubricate all the bearings and joints in the area you cleaned. The lubricant will remove the unwanted fluids which could freeze, or cause corrosion to the bearing or the joint. If you do not lubricate the bearings and joints, damage to the components can occur.

g) Do not use water or cleaners that contain flammable solvents to clean warm components.

h) Make sure you flush the surface sufficiently to remove all of the cleaning product some cleaners can cause corrosion if they are not removed completely from the airplane surface.

i) Do not apply solvents, grease, or oil to stainless steel control cables. these materials can collect contamination that can cause damage to the internal surfaces of the cable strands and can decrease the service life of the cable.

Warnings

Do not use high-pressure spray equipment. High-pressure spray equipment can put liquids into bearings, joints, brakes, electrical connectors, and other sealed components. Liquids that get into these areas can cause corrosion, freeze during airplane flight, or remove necessary lubricants.

General Notes

To prevent scratches on the surface, always soak the brushes in the cleaning products before you use them.

Technical Cleaning of Aircraft Zones - Light Cleaning

Use the following procedure when cleaning areas that contain mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic components. these areas include the wheel wells, flight control surfaces, and landing gear. (Flaps should be extended to the fully down position.)

a) Apply the cleaner to the applicable area with swabs or brushes.

b) Let the cleaner soak for approximately five minutes.

c) Apply the cleaner again if necessary to keep the surface wet.

d) Carefully rub the surface with a clean brush to help remove unwanted material.

e) Flush the surface with clean, warm water

f) Dry the wet surface with air or towels.

g) Lubricate all bearings and joints in the cleaned area.

h) Remove unwanted hydraulic fluid.

i) Clean the unwanted hydraulic fluid with a mop or rags.

Technical Cleaning of Aircraft Zones - Heavy Cleaning

a) Clean with foam whenever possible as the cleaner will stay on the surface for up to 15 minutes. (If you do not have a foam generator, mix the liquid quickly to make foam.)

b) Apply water to the area you will clean.

c) Apply a heavy layer of foam cleaner.

d) Let the cleaner soak for 5 to 15 minutes.

e) Apply the cleaner again if necessary.

f) Rub the surface with a brush to help remove unwanted material.

g) Flush the surface with clean, warm water.

h) Dry the wet surface with air or towels.

Next Steps

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