Aircraft maintenance

[Rance]

We had a meeting today with the owner of MidWest Aviation. He's looking for someone to contract with his company to wash aircraft at Barkley Regional Airport here in Paducah. Has anyone on here ever washed airplanes? This opportunity could be very good for us as we are a new business that is looking for opportunities to expand and grow. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Rance]

Thanks for all your help and support!?!

 

[RandyB]

All I know about washing aircraft is keep the water out of the pitot tube. It will screw up some of the avionics. From there it's pretty straight forward. Rinse, lather, brush, rinse.

 

[Christopher]

I was told years ago that you have to use certified aviation approved detergents as a lot of detergents will cause damage to wiring, rivets, and other parts of the plane.

No pressure washing, only brushing from what I have been told by a friend years ago that was taking pilot lessons. He would wash the plane in exchange for extra 30 minute lessons.

 

[Sirocco Jerry]

I have several customers that do aircraft washing as a specialty..
none of them "talk about" HOW they do it..
some tricks of the trade run methodically silent.
..this might be a slow moving thread.

 

[Rance]

Yes Jerry I think your right. I think I may have found another BB to learn from if I can get signed in. Thanks guys.

 

[Cooper]

Let them know you haven't washed any planes before and you want to make sure you don't mess up. We used to clean a customers plane regularly and he would take off a couple spots that he didn't want wet or didn't want the pressure to hit. Besides that it was like washing a car. We spayed a concentrated car wash detergent on it and brushed. It was nerve wrecking a lil at first (didn't want to mess something up!) but after the first time, we just taped the couple spots ourselves and never had a problem

 

[dsnorrod]

I live next to an airport. I would be interested in hearing what anyone had to say about this as well. Never thought about doing this.

 

[Benjamin]

Also talk to your insurance guy before you bid. I was doing some work in a rail yard and was told eventually I would need to give them a copy of my liability insurance. Talked to my insurance broker, he got back to me real quick telling me that the under writer does not do trains and planes. When I get more work at the yard I have to find another liability insurance policy and this will also be reflected in my price for them.

Just a heads up