View Poll Results: What is the hygene state of your flight deck?
I am a professional pilot and my flight deck is filthy
470
43.56%
I am a professional pilot and my flight deck is clean
287
26.60%
I am NOT a professional pilot but I felt like taking part in this poll anyway
322
29.84%
Voters: 1079. This poll is closed
'Filthy' flight decks
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: The Harbour
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People...
It's all very good cleaning up the rubbish in the flight deck, which i'm sure most of us do....
It's the crap on the floor thats the problem... dead skin, tiny bits of food, short curly hairs
, spilt coffee that you dont have the equipment to clean up properly, that get stuck in the floor in all those wee places that just attract stuff like that and build up quickly...
I never said it was an engineers job to clean out the rubbish but surely something needs to be done to fix it...???
sweet....
It's all very good cleaning up the rubbish in the flight deck, which i'm sure most of us do....
It's the crap on the floor thats the problem... dead skin, tiny bits of food, short curly hairs
, spilt coffee that you dont have the equipment to clean up properly, that get stuck in the floor in all those wee places that just attract stuff like that and build up quickly...I never said it was an engineers job to clean out the rubbish but surely something needs to be done to fix it...???
sweet....
Join Date: Apr 2004
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One should leave the cockpit in a condition that they would like to find it. Common courtesy really. I have found cockpits in an appalling state, with charts and aproach plates missing, stolen?, when vacated by one or two so called ex "flag carrier" crews.
I have always thought when I have come into a cocpit that looks like a dog's breakfast, what on earth must their place of dwelling be like? In most cases it looks like the cockpit they have left, unless of course they have someone to clean up after them.
There is an old and true saying "if the operation looks like rubbish, then it normally is"
Rats love filth.
I have always thought when I have come into a cocpit that looks like a dog's breakfast, what on earth must their place of dwelling be like? In most cases it looks like the cockpit they have left, unless of course they have someone to clean up after them.
There is an old and true saying "if the operation looks like rubbish, then it normally is"
Rats love filth.
Last edited by montys ex teaboy; 11th Sep 2005 at 14:07.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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I think Max Angle has made a very valid point. Once we have cleaned up all the obvious mess from our own flying duty, there is still a lot of ongoing grime (dead skin, fluff crumbs and dust). This would be present in any work station including the MD's desk. The MD's desl along with those of her minions will of course get cleaned properly at least weekly if not daily.
Our company doesn't even seem to be able to find an aircraft cleaning company which owns a vaccum cleaner. There is little chance of an improvement.
Our company doesn't even seem to be able to find an aircraft cleaning company which owns a vaccum cleaner. There is little chance of an improvement.
Join Date: May 2002
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As an ex-Engineer I have to agree with both opinions.
I have found disgusting Flight Decks and some things I would probably not want to discuss on a public forum.
Some Engineers are spectacularly clean in their approach to work, usually the ones that sort the FMC out and have escalated themselves to that position. The ones that like to appear on TV with a certain airline - shock horror stuff !!
The type who have long moved on from one end of a screwdriver to the other.
Before you jump, I have done both positions.
There are, of course, other types who have to get down in the dirt and do a - what I consider to be - true Engineering job. Those with the tools do get dirty.
Dirt and misplaced documentation is a burden of any Engineer and also Flight Deck crew.
I think this matter is well raised.
In my previous work - I had to go down into the Avionics bay, I, as a result got dirty, but it didn't stop me cleaning up the switches on the flight deck after I had had my hands on them.
I had a respect for the simple fact that the Flight Crew were going to be there for some time, eating, holding cups of coffee etc etc.
No decent reason why at the end of the day you cannot raise this with your Operations staff as it could be a basic H&S matter if it concerns you so much.
But just as common deceny goes by the way so does common deceny in Engineering staff.
However, look at the bigger picture as an Engineer I say.
You are there to support an airline, Flight Deck and Cabin Crew. They are all equally important to your livelihood at the end of the day.
Basic cleanliness from what you do as an aircraft Engineer is a compliment to the Crew. It doesn't take much effort and is generally appreciated.
Apologies if I have ranted on - a point needed to be made.
I have found disgusting Flight Decks and some things I would probably not want to discuss on a public forum.
Some Engineers are spectacularly clean in their approach to work, usually the ones that sort the FMC out and have escalated themselves to that position. The ones that like to appear on TV with a certain airline - shock horror stuff !!
The type who have long moved on from one end of a screwdriver to the other.
Before you jump, I have done both positions.
There are, of course, other types who have to get down in the dirt and do a - what I consider to be - true Engineering job. Those with the tools do get dirty.
Dirt and misplaced documentation is a burden of any Engineer and also Flight Deck crew.
I think this matter is well raised.
In my previous work - I had to go down into the Avionics bay, I, as a result got dirty, but it didn't stop me cleaning up the switches on the flight deck after I had had my hands on them.
I had a respect for the simple fact that the Flight Crew were going to be there for some time, eating, holding cups of coffee etc etc.
No decent reason why at the end of the day you cannot raise this with your Operations staff as it could be a basic H&S matter if it concerns you so much.
But just as common deceny goes by the way so does common deceny in Engineering staff.
However, look at the bigger picture as an Engineer I say.
You are there to support an airline, Flight Deck and Cabin Crew. They are all equally important to your livelihood at the end of the day.
Basic cleanliness from what you do as an aircraft Engineer is a compliment to the Crew. It doesn't take much effort and is generally appreciated.
Apologies if I have ranted on - a point needed to be made.
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Have flown in a few dirty cockpits in my time and it isn't pleasant. Companies tend to shy away from paying 'proper' aircraft cleaners (I mean flight deck, not toilets/ cabin), presumably on the grounds of cost. Engineers often get burdened with it and (not for any particular reason) it often just doesn't get done.
As for pilots cleaning the cockpit, well, certainly tidying your rubbish away and following the example of meatball is to be commended. It is the more permanent grime that is the real problem and pilots don't have the cleaning materials and clothing to do this job, let alone the time to be crawling around on the floor pre/post flight.
What is really annoying though is the guy who uses the sani-wipe to clean the PFD screens after he has cleaned the headset and control column. It leaves smears all over them and is totally unsuitable for the job, leaving them less clear than the film of dust!
PP
As for pilots cleaning the cockpit, well, certainly tidying your rubbish away and following the example of meatball is to be commended. It is the more permanent grime that is the real problem and pilots don't have the cleaning materials and clothing to do this job, let alone the time to be crawling around on the floor pre/post flight.
What is really annoying though is the guy who uses the sani-wipe to clean the PFD screens after he has cleaned the headset and control column. It leaves smears all over them and is totally unsuitable for the job, leaving them less clear than the film of dust!
PP
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I employ a little 2" paintbrush (unused of course!) to dust off the panels and remove the crap that lodges in the joints between consoles. It helps. But its the filthy dirty headsets that get me! We can't have personal headsets, so we get to enjoy having dandruff and hair ridden earmuffs caressing our noggins.
I've had a recurring problem with lip infections - cold sores - in exactly the spot where the boom mike sits. YUCK!!
Are you allowed personal headsets? How did you arrange this with your employers?
I've had a recurring problem with lip infections - cold sores - in exactly the spot where the boom mike sits. YUCK!!
Are you allowed personal headsets? How did you arrange this with your employers?
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We don't allow cleaners anywhere near the flight deck - things get pressed and moved that shouldn't be ! I always leave things as I'd like to find them but some guys are just slobs. there's often more food on the aisle stand than on my meal tray !!
Maxalt, you should be able to use your own headset but you'll need to have it approved by your engineers. Airlines should provide headsets for each individual pilot I think but the penny pinchers wont allow it.
Maxalt, you should be able to use your own headset but you'll need to have it approved by your engineers. Airlines should provide headsets for each individual pilot I think but the penny pinchers wont allow it.
Last edited by jetrider757; 11th Sep 2005 at 20:34.
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Fit for pigs
Trislander : You have focussed precisely on the issue.
Kaptain M : even better
montys ex teaboy : Disturbing, yet valid
Lost_luggage34 : A very wise post
It all can be summed up by Professionalism.
I remember when I once made an entry in the tech log of one airline I used to fly for, suggesting the headsets should be cleaned of the different types of earwax they bore. (Sorry about that, but you all started it after all).
It caused me some HF problems of course, I can still remember the wide staring eyes of the technician as he looked at me and said “Are you serious man ???”.
So, not being one to give up so easily, I adopted an aggressive/defensive stance and cleaned them myself as part of the BF checks (matchsticks, Dettol and tissue did a reasonable job).
This is one of the most relevant treads I have read for a long time. Almost every post is spot on.
Thanks to HKG Phooey for posting it.
oTd
(What on earth am I doing writing about this sort of thing on a Sunday night ???????? I must try to get out a little more frequently).
Kaptain M : even better
montys ex teaboy : Disturbing, yet valid
Lost_luggage34 : A very wise post
It all can be summed up by Professionalism.
I remember when I once made an entry in the tech log of one airline I used to fly for, suggesting the headsets should be cleaned of the different types of earwax they bore. (Sorry about that, but you all started it after all).
It caused me some HF problems of course, I can still remember the wide staring eyes of the technician as he looked at me and said “Are you serious man ???”.
So, not being one to give up so easily, I adopted an aggressive/defensive stance and cleaned them myself as part of the BF checks (matchsticks, Dettol and tissue did a reasonable job).
This is one of the most relevant treads I have read for a long time. Almost every post is spot on.
Thanks to HKG Phooey for posting it.
oTd
(What on earth am I doing writing about this sort of thing on a Sunday night ???????? I must try to get out a little more frequently).
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in exactly the spot where the boom mike sits. YUCK!!
On the aircraft I have flown when the cabin is cleaned the cleaning staff have all ways hovered the Flight Deck and cleaned out the ash trays. But to not clean the personal rubbish away. That is and should be the responsibility of the crew member that occupies that work place.
In reply to HKP original post regarding checklists if these are used as toothpicks and you feel strongly about this, remember a defaced checklist has to be replaced and an entry in the tech log will ensure this
As for the headsets and oxygen masks the personal use of antispectic wipes is the simple solution
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I once thrust my hand into a chart pocket and grasped a lubricated condom. I jumped so high I nearly hit my noggin on the overhead. In stark dread and terror I fished it out, to discover, thankfully, that It was yet unused. Most horrifying experience of my airline career, considerably more so than nearly departing a snowy runway.
Está servira para distraerle.
Just another little aside:
Why do those you fly in glass cockpits feel the need to leave their stubby little fingerprints on the glass screens?
Join Date: Feb 2001
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Its due to the common misconception that there is braille information contained on the surface. It drives me nuts. A snicom and paper towel first flight on the day cures it before the screens get to warm.
to leave their stubby little fingerprints on the glass screens?
Trainers
They can't help touching the screens whilst pointing out items of passing interest to their vict... trainees.
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Just like to point out that dirt is not just an asthetic consideration.
UK CAA CAAIPS point out that dirt attracts moisture, ergo can attract corrosion and other nasties.
I got fed up with cleaning up after dirty pilots (some, however, leave the FD in good condition). Amazed that coffee spillages are often not reported.
UK CAA CAAIPS point out that dirt attracts moisture, ergo can attract corrosion and other nasties.
I got fed up with cleaning up after dirty pilots (some, however, leave the FD in good condition). Amazed that coffee spillages are often not reported.
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In case anyone hasn't noticed, airline maintenance departments aren't exactly over staffed. Personally I find my limited time best spent fixing/maintaining the aircraft so it can fly, not cleaning it, particularly as I am fed up with a minority of flight crew who feel it's their right to leave a flightdeck full of newspapers/supplements/magazines etc. If there was time to read them, there was time to clean up your own dirt.