The bizarre reason why planes get sprayed by water before taking off
The strange reason planes are sprayed with water before takeoff has been revealed, and it has nothing to do with keeping the plane clean.
You settle into your seat with your favorite book in hand and are ready to hit the runway when suddenly it feels like the plane is being bombarded with gallons of water. Strange, isn’t it?
Although it is assumed that the aircraft undergoes a last-minute cleaning before taking to the skies, the purpose of the hosing is actually more ceremonial than practical.
The aircraft water salute is a celebratory ceremony that involves two fire engines spraying water in an arc over an aircraft, creating a ‘tunnel’ for the aircraft to pass under.
Similar to nautical salutes to ships, the tradition reserved for special occasions and important events often serves as a gesture of respect, celebration, or good luck.
Water salutes are performed for many reasons; But most importantly, it honors the last flight of a senior pilot or airport employee before retirement. Simple Flight.
They are also performed when celebrating milestone events, such as the takeoff or landing of a record-breaking flight, or to welcome the return of an Olympic team.
Sometimes water salutes are performed to honor military personnel, such as to commemorate fallen soldiers.
The plane water salute involves two fire trucks spraying water in an arc over an aircraft, essentially creating a ‘tunnel’ for the aircraft to pass through.
This tradition, which is a sign of respect, celebration or good luck, is reserved for special occasions.
It can also be performed when marking an airline’s first or last flight to a particular airport.
The water salute is said to have originated in the maritime industry, where fire boats formed an aqueduct as a ceremonial welcome for ships on their maiden voyages.
When airplanes were finally introduced, the tradition was later adopted by the aviation industry. Schiphol Airport.
There are unconfirmed reports that the first water salute was held at Salt Lake City International Airport in the 1990s to honor a retired Delta Airlines pilot, Simple Flying reported.
Water salute, a rare phenomenon, should not be confused with ground ice thawing, a common but similar process of spraying aircraft with liquid before takeoff.
Many passengers, especially in cold weather, may have experienced problems with icing on the ground before the plane starts moving, as it requires cleaning and protecting aircraft surfaces from ice accumulation before starting the flight.
Meanwhile, there’s one incident during the flight that some may find a little more nauseating than most: the mysterious and complex reality of ‘blue ice’.
Blue ice forms when frozen blocks of airplane toilet waste break off during flight and fall to the ground; This sometimes results in property damage, injury and costly cleanup.
Water salutes are performed to honor military personnel or to commemorate a pilot’s last flight before retirement.
It is said that the water salute started in the maritime industry and was later adopted in the aviation industry with the introduction of airplanes.
The term ‘blue ice’ refers to waste leaking from an aircraft’s toilet system, mixed with blue disinfectant, which freezes at cruising altitudes where temperatures can drop below –60 degrees Celsius.
During descent, the ice may dislodge and fall to the ground, which can sometimes have dangerous consequences.
Although modern aircraft waste systems are designed to be completely sealed and subject to regular inspection, small leaks can sometimes occur due to hairline cracks or faulty seals.
Aviation experts at Brookfield Aviation emphasize that these incidents are among the most real dangers of modern air travel.
