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
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 65
Likes: 2
From: Somewhere around the World
True Story:
I used to fly with a Captain who was a stickler for keeping things clean in the flight-deck, and quite rightly so.
One day he brought in some "Mr Sheen", and when we were trimmed out and in the cruise, he liberally sprayed the entire instrument panel with this household cleaner, and left it for a few minutes to do it's magic.
Unfortunately "Mr Sheen" turned out to be black magic, and the white stencil writing which had been on the various grimy control panels, all dissolved and the paint ran before our very eyes.
The captain hurriedly tried to wipe off the cleaning fluid, and it created an almighty mess.
The next day was spent trying to paint the lettering back in with some Humbrol white enamel paint.
End of story.
The last thing I do before I leave the flight deck, now that I am the Captain is take a last look around and make sure that it is in a tidy state and nothing has been left behind.
Lead by example and instill in your subordinates the values you expect them to adopt.
I used to fly with a Captain who was a stickler for keeping things clean in the flight-deck, and quite rightly so.
One day he brought in some "Mr Sheen", and when we were trimmed out and in the cruise, he liberally sprayed the entire instrument panel with this household cleaner, and left it for a few minutes to do it's magic.
Unfortunately "Mr Sheen" turned out to be black magic, and the white stencil writing which had been on the various grimy control panels, all dissolved and the paint ran before our very eyes.
The captain hurriedly tried to wipe off the cleaning fluid, and it created an almighty mess.
The next day was spent trying to paint the lettering back in with some Humbrol white enamel paint.
End of story.
The last thing I do before I leave the flight deck, now that I am the Captain is take a last look around and make sure that it is in a tidy state and nothing has been left behind.
Lead by example and instill in your subordinates the values you expect them to adopt.
Está servira para distraerle.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: In a perambulator.
Another facet of cockpit hygene is, of course, the tendency of some pilots to transfer their proboscidiferous excrescences from soggy, germ infested tissues to the power levers, thrust taps or whatever, thereby contributing significantly to the morbific spread of coughs and sneezes, especially in the winter season.
For this reason, I advocate a cockpit policy of one Kleenex, one blow and a liberal application of Dettol Disinfectant Spray to all surfaces which might be contaminated or subject to deturpation.
Perhaps, quite apart from twiddling the knobs, that's another reason to sport those sensual off-white kid gloves so beloved of those who suffer from perspirative palms.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: Timbuktu
...yes, unfortunately some guys need to take a little more care of their personal hygiene also. There's nothing worse than sharing a cockpit for 8 hours with a guy who has BO.
Ever heard of Right Guard? Use it!
Ever heard of Right Guard? Use it!
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
From: Home
Interesting poll but it would be more revealing if it exposed which airlines had the dirtiest flight decks 
I am not a professional pilot so could not vote
However as flight crew I all ways leave my station clean and tidy including the panel and table as a coutesy to the on coming crew member. Wish I could say the same for the two pilots 
I am not a professional pilot so could not vote
However as flight crew I all ways leave my station clean and tidy including the panel and table as a coutesy to the on coming crew member. Wish I could say the same for the two pilots
Pilots' Pal
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 0
From: USA
Picking up on missioncontrol's point, pilots must never, ever be tempted to use anything other than a dry brush to clean the more apparent dirt and a sterile wipe for the control column and thrust levers.
Believe it or not, cleaning has to be carried out in accordance with approved data (maintenance manuals etc) using approved materials.
Believe it or not, cleaning has to be carried out in accordance with approved data (maintenance manuals etc) using approved materials.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Insert something funny here==>__________
I have noticed that I get so dirty from touching the controls that instead of using the sanicom disinfectant tissues to clean the cockpit controls before the flight, I now use them to clean my hands and fingers after the flight.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: santa maria
dirty cockpits
great forum. i too am seriously annoyed with the state of the cockpit in my company. as previously said there is a general unwritten rule to take all your stuff out before you leave but its the grime left behind from people eating and sitting in the same place for extended periods of time that needs removal. does anybody know if servisair provide a flight deck cleaning service. are they the same cleaners that clean the plane (i realise they need extra training to go up front)
ps i though the final remark in a previous post regarding leading you subordinates by example hilarious! great crm
ps i though the final remark in a previous post regarding leading you subordinates by example hilarious! great crm
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Langley, VA
airline free immunization for pilots
I love this forum!!
Last 2 companies I flew for had strict policies about living the flight deck clean and tidy. Neverless our "office" appeared always to be in need of of a good cleaning. I think it's just staying hours in the same seat, eating, writing, reading and sometimes sweating.
I personally don't feel too much unconfortable about this. And it's years I don't get a serious cold or any similar contagious deseases. Did I become immune? Did I get a benefical effect by staying exposed to millions of germs my collegues spread?
Last 2 companies I flew for had strict policies about living the flight deck clean and tidy. Neverless our "office" appeared always to be in need of of a good cleaning. I think it's just staying hours in the same seat, eating, writing, reading and sometimes sweating.
I personally don't feel too much unconfortable about this. And it's years I don't get a serious cold or any similar contagious deseases. Did I become immune? Did I get a benefical effect by staying exposed to millions of germs my collegues spread?
Joined: Oct 1998
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Brunei
Four points I would like to make regarding this very relevant thread (Thanks HKG Phooey for starting it).
1.
I agree wholeheartedly with Metroman on page one of this thread.
It is our job to keep the Flight Deck tidy, but we are pilots not cleaners.
So while it is our job to make sure charts are put away properly and in order, cups and waste paper put in the bins provided and the place left in a neat and tidy manner, we are not cleaners and as such removing grime and accumulated 'other wastes' is not our job.
2.
I also agree with Rollingthunder on page 4 of this thread.
He lists some basic, simple strategies that would, at minimal cost and effort from all involved, keep the Flight Deck at a high standard of cleanliness.
3.
One of the only times I, as a Captain, pull rank and do the 'mean and nasty' is when the First Officer I am flying with tries to leave our workspace in a mess.
I have no problem whatsoever ORDERING him / her back in there to tidy up their mess.
Word gets around.
In twelve years I've only had to do this twice.
F.O.s who have a reputation for leaving the Flight Deck messy
(a) don't try it with me,
and
(b) if they know I'm flying the aircraft after them, they make sure they leave it in a state befitting its importance.
4.
I hate hiding behind such vague words as 'Airmanship' or 'Professionalism', so instead I will suggest that the state a pilot leaves his flight deck is
* a comment on his resposibilities reguarding health and safety in the workplace
* a comment of his opinion of his colleagues
* a comment on the standards he accepts in other aspects of his career.
On this last point, the same can be said of the Company Management who don't do anything about Flight Deck cleaning.
The sad thing is that while we all gripe about it, this thread will run out of steam and disappear but the problem won't.
1.
I agree wholeheartedly with Metroman on page one of this thread.
It is our job to keep the Flight Deck tidy, but we are pilots not cleaners.
So while it is our job to make sure charts are put away properly and in order, cups and waste paper put in the bins provided and the place left in a neat and tidy manner, we are not cleaners and as such removing grime and accumulated 'other wastes' is not our job.
2.
I also agree with Rollingthunder on page 4 of this thread.
He lists some basic, simple strategies that would, at minimal cost and effort from all involved, keep the Flight Deck at a high standard of cleanliness.
3.
One of the only times I, as a Captain, pull rank and do the 'mean and nasty' is when the First Officer I am flying with tries to leave our workspace in a mess.
I have no problem whatsoever ORDERING him / her back in there to tidy up their mess.
Word gets around.
In twelve years I've only had to do this twice.
F.O.s who have a reputation for leaving the Flight Deck messy
(a) don't try it with me,
and
(b) if they know I'm flying the aircraft after them, they make sure they leave it in a state befitting its importance.
4.
I hate hiding behind such vague words as 'Airmanship' or 'Professionalism', so instead I will suggest that the state a pilot leaves his flight deck is
* a comment on his resposibilities reguarding health and safety in the workplace
* a comment of his opinion of his colleagues
* a comment on the standards he accepts in other aspects of his career.
On this last point, the same can be said of the Company Management who don't do anything about Flight Deck cleaning.
The sad thing is that while we all gripe about it, this thread will run out of steam and disappear but the problem won't.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Northern England, United Kingdom
L Peacock,
Don't know about the cleaners starting engnes, but there is always an added danger of having them cleaning the flight deck post flight when a Training Captains has parked the kite and gone home with one of the engines still running. It happens.
Upsets the baggage handlers too.
Don't know about the cleaners starting engnes, but there is always an added danger of having them cleaning the flight deck post flight when a Training Captains has parked the kite and gone home with one of the engines still running. It happens.
Upsets the baggage handlers too.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 1
From: Egcc
The sad thing is that while we all gripe about it, this thread will run out of steam and disappear but the problem won't.
They represent a broad spectrum of the pilot workforce throughout the UK. They have the ability to make this an issue if enough of us raise it with them. They seem keen to jump on legislation (especially the EU variety) when it suits, so surely there must be something regarding our work environment and the amount of cleanliness required in law? Or are we immune from 'normal' workplace legislation, just like Working Time Directives?????
PP
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: Too far from the equator
I once had the pleasure to fly for Lauda Air. Well , the pleasure was the actual aircraft. They were the cleanest flight decks ever seen. A 7 year old 737 had a floor you could eat off. Paint brushes everywhere , the slightest paint scratch professionally 'airbrushed ' out , daily hoovering and woe betide any crew who left it at all scruffy , or with fingerprints anywhere. It felt like flying one 'out of the box ' everyday .
It was akin to Niki lending you one of his Mercs/Ferraris and so on ............ The aircraft were also his babies.
It is quite easy to keep them so from the start. Discipline.
It was akin to Niki lending you one of his Mercs/Ferraris and so on ............ The aircraft were also his babies.
It is quite easy to keep them so from the start. Discipline.