Citation jockeys - volcanic ash protection advice from Cessna

[Sepp]

If you haven't already seen it, the following was released by Cessna to all Operators of Citation Aircraft.

Cessna - On Ground Operations for Volcanic Ash Fallout

Operation from or to airports contaminated with volcanic ash should be avoided if possible. Should volcanic ash exposure be unavoidable, Cessna recommends utilizing the following procedures for Citations:

Note: Operators may use their discretion in determining which actions to take if the airplane is placed in a hangar.

If aircraft cannot be placed in a hangar, complete the following:

Caution: It is not recommended to use clear or aircraft color matching vinyl tape in the applications used in the procedures below.

• Refer to Chapter 10 in the applicable maintenance manual for parking and mooring procedures

• With an auxiliary power source or hydraulic mule, make sure the speed brakes are stowed, flaps are set at 0 degrees, and the thrust reversers are stowed

• Set the flight controls gust lock (if applicable)

• Install engine inlet and exhaust, and pylon inlet covers

• Install pitot tube covers

• Install windshield cover (if available)

• Cover air conditioner inlet and exhaust openings (if applicable)

• Cover Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) inlet and exhaust openings (if applicable)

• Cover Air Cycle Machine inlet and exhaust openings (if applicable)

• Apply colored vinyl tape over all static ports

• Apply colored vinyl tape around the cabin door, escape hatch, and baggage door(s)

• Apply colored vinyl tape to all ram air opening(s) on fuselage

• Apply colored vinyl tape to seam between radome and fuselage

• Apply colored vinyl tape to seams between air inlets and engine cowlings

• Apply colored vinyl tape to seams between thrust reverser and engine cowlings

• Apply colored vinyl tape to inlet and exhaust ports on engine cowlings

• Apply colored vinyl tape to openings around thrust reverser hydraulic actuators

• Apply colored vinyl tape to cover speed brakes

• Apply colored vinyl tape to seam between the wings and ailerons, including hinge points

• Apply colored vinyl tape to seam between the wings and flaps, including rollers or hinge points

• Apply colored vinyl tape to seam between horizontal stabilizers and elevators, including hinge points

• Apply colored vinyl tape to seam between vertical stabilizer and rudder, including hinge points

If volcanic ash settles on aircraft, complete following:

• Refer to Chapter 12 in the applicable maintenance manual for external cleaning procedures

• Thoroughly wash the airplane using care to keep the ash out of all aircraft openings and lubricated parts

• Remove all vinyl tape and covers from the aircraft

• Refer to Chapter 10 in the applicable maintenance manual for return to service procedures

Questions, please contact:
Customer Service Hot Line
1-800-835-4090
316-517-6261 (International)
[email protected]

[lear60fellow]

Well, having read that all (I´m not a citation driver) I CAN SAY THAT CESSNA IS WRONG!!! initially do not wash the aircraft!!!, that´s the worst thing you can do as ash will transform into mudd and stick on any tiny inlet. Recommendations are to brush the ash, use compressed air and at last, when you see no traces of ash then wash it carefully with high pressure water.

[Sepp]

You raise a good point, however I'm told by those as do these things that MM Chap 12 contains similar instructions. Washing is the second item in their list...

I've passed on the suggestion that maybe their instructions should include a caution not to skip straight to the washing stage, for the reasons you state. :ok:

[First.officer]

Have read the same info. as previous posters regarding not washing before brushing away dust but am thinking this may be with heavier concentraton of ash accretion and not the kind of ash we have experienced generally in UK and Europe ??

Feel free to correct me if i'm wrong !

F/O

[lear60fellow]

That´s right, brush any visible ash, better to scratch the paint a little bit than removing mudd. If no ash is visible then follow the instructions from manufacturer of aircraft and engines (this is the most sensible part)

[potatowings]

The reason it is vital to remove the ash is simple. It is highly corrosive if it is wet and turns to slush, and then you have a highly corrosive slush/mud in the little parts you can't see, and all over the ramp.

Washing with water really is vitally the last stage after being sure you have removed any/all ash you can see or feel, no matter what size, otherwise you'll have a rusty wreck soon.

The UK CAA and many other authorities have placed a lot of useful info on their sites. Worth checking out.