Mmm

I think the grease comes from your skin unless the individual has over indulged with the inflight meal! Grease + Oxygen + Ignition = explosion!

For full fuel tank entry engineers require a mask fitment test carried out by a superb piece of kit from Sabre. Ive been told our fire fighters use the same. It measures leak rates, negative pressures and positive pressures from all head angles. I have a beard and pass this Sabre test every time.

I can ensure that the mask we use is inferior to the standard of mask that is located in the flight deck.

I'm sure a few dodgy masks make into the crew's cases for the night stop though lol!

K Regards

Virgin Mary

You also have a "Beardy" boss, so who is to complain?

So is a long beard a real problem or not ?

Boeing test pilot with short beard at the :20 second mark.

Not my picture, it is an anonymous forum after all, but I sport a flavor safor a la

http://static.poponthepop.com/images...art-goatee.jpg
even though I feel a full scale goatee like

http://static.poponthepop.com/files/pitt-goatee.jpg

would seal equally well since the mask would fit over the goatee rather then sit over a beard.
I have spoken with FAA Inspectors that are very adament that a mask will not seal and it's therefore a safety issue.
mainly based on hear say and the aforementioned Advisory Circular which dates back from like 30+ years ago.
Personal opinion? I think the whole "does not seal" argument is BS.

Excuse me, but does this thread extend to those females who won't admit they have a facial hair problem? :ouch:

I know, I know....coat, door.

Still waiting for an answer : )