Careful with disinfecting aircraft
Careful when disinfecting aircraft
It seems that a student destroyed the panel of an aircraft in an attempt to disinfect it
Last edited by double_barrel; 15th Aug 2020 at 09:43.
The media has been full of the correct advice on cleaning for covid 19: that is SOAP and WATER and this is repeated over and over. There are lots of hand gels etc on the market that do have some convenience; at shop or business entrance etc and throughout hospitals. No one has claimed that chemical treatments are more effective than soap and water and in some cases, unless stated, it is warned that they may be less effective.
A damp cloth soaked in diluted washing up liquid is all that is needed and can be kept in the aeroplane together with a spray bottle just as simply as any gel or similar, and will do no damage.
A damp cloth soaked in diluted washing up liquid is all that is needed and can be kept in the aeroplane together with a spray bottle just as simply as any gel or similar, and will do no damage.
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Instead of telling concerned people "not to fly", the flight school should have established cleaning and disinfection protocols before reopening. And those could have included substances which are appropriate for the purpose and would not damage the aircraft. Airline aircraft also have their cockpits disinfected frequently these days - and I haven't seen any ruined panels as a result of this.
Of course, if there's such a protocol in place, it has been made known to everyone but nonetheless someone knowingly deviated from it - this is entirely their fault and they should be the one to pay for restoration.
Of course, if there's such a protocol in place, it has been made known to everyone but nonetheless someone knowingly deviated from it - this is entirely their fault and they should be the one to pay for restoration.
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Fl1ingfrog, washing up liquid is detergent not soap. The benefit of soap for getting rid of covid 19 is in the fat it contains which binds to the virus so it can be washed down the drain. Washing up liquid, while maybe better than nothing, won't do that but if you want a simple wipe then isopropyl alcohol should do just fine.
Easy to be wise after the event....
Soap and water probably not ideal for the panel nor other areas where water ingress might be a risk
In hospitals we use 2 antiviral wipes. One for work surfaces including glass and another for electronic equipment including screens and monitors. Easily obtained on the net. Pity nobody asked
err no. soap and detergents disrupts the lipid coat around the RNA. Once denuded the RNA is deactivated. soap, detergent etc all work. Beware of isoproplyl alcohol on plastics and paint finishes as well as upholstery. you dont need it. And you arent washing anything down the drain I hope, you are deactivating it. Washing down the drain suggests buckets of water or a hose, and where is the drain.....
Soap and water probably not ideal for the panel nor other areas where water ingress might be a risk
In hospitals we use 2 antiviral wipes. One for work surfaces including glass and another for electronic equipment including screens and monitors. Easily obtained on the net. Pity nobody asked
The benefit of soap for getting rid of covid 19 is in the fat it contains which binds to the virus so it can be washed down the drain. Washing up liquid, while maybe better than nothing, won't do that but if you want a simple wipe then isopropyl alcohol should do just fine.
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The gliding club provides a couple of buckets with some water & soap, plus clothes. That's what we clean gliders with between different pilots. The incoming pilot does the cleaning
Radgirl of course provides expert advice; whether you have 'washing up soap' or 'washing up detergent' can be a name dependant on what part of the world you are, They act the same whether detergent or soap on the Covid-19 virus. Hopefully clubs are in the main ensuring that training eradicates stupid acts like soaking the instrument panel with lots of water is both wrong and unnecessary. The cloth, for those who need to be told, need only be damp with soap/detergent water which can then be used on all parts of the aircraft interior and exterior: around doors, inspection panels and dipstics etc. and is also cheap and always available.
Tap water contains salt, up to about 5% and so very similar to that of most domestic hand washing up liquids. The aim is to simply wipe the aircraft surfaces with a damp cloth so let us not be silly
I've never known anyone refuse to use tap water to wash an aeroplane. I can't recollect any aircraft manuals advising against using tap water on metal aeroplanes either (willing to be proved wrong on this).
I've never known anyone refuse to use tap water to wash an aeroplane. I can't recollect any aircraft manuals advising against using tap water on metal aeroplanes either (willing to be proved wrong on this).
I've never known anyone refuse to use tap water to wash an aeroplane
Volatile substances such as gasoline, benzine, alcohol, acetone, fire extinguisher or anti ice fluid, lacquer thinner or glass cleaner must never be used to clean the plastic since they soften and craze the plastic.
I've been using kitchen bleach spray on panels, and soapy water for everything else. Multiple applications, no issues so far apart from slightly damp seats, but that's no big deal. And yes, I did do extensive homework before starting to.
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It seems that a student destroyed the panel of an aircraft in an attempt to disinfect it
So the student, while having care and control of the aircraft, failed to follow specific flight manual information on how to care for it, and it was damaged as a result. It seems clear to me who's responsibility this is, as the instructions were available! We don't make up our own operating techniques, and making up our own care techniques is obviously a poor idea too!
Several car makers warn against using chemical cleaners on plastic. Apparently they can degrade or embrittle the plastic with serious results should it be covering an airbag.
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"the pilot is expected to do what the flight manual says to do!"
No aircraft flight manual I've seen mentions hygiene procedures even for known infectious diseases, for this one you're on your own.
But it's spread seems more from air breathed in than surface contact.
No aircraft flight manual I've seen mentions hygiene procedures even for known infectious diseases, for this one you're on your own.
But it's spread seems more from air breathed in than surface contact.