US Airways - May 2014 - (Page 10)

embark Making It Happen Bird Bath All of US Airways' planes get a good scrubbing every six months. Here's what it takes to wash one of the birds. By Tara Titcombe 10 MAY 2014 usairwaysmag.com are washed in the hangar," Nimmo laughs. Unlike what you may expect, the planes are washed without water. "We wanted to keep up with our green initiatives," Nimmo says. "So we do dry washes, which use no water and cause no contamination." A team of five to eight workers use tools called brush heads, which essentially look like padded mops. The pads are coated with a cleaner and wax combination, which is then applied onto the plane's surface. After letting it dry for a few minutes, the workers then wipe it off with polishing pads. And voila! There's a clean and shiny plane. It takes about six hours to wash an Airbus. The crew divides the plane into sections, starting with the top half, and work their way to the bottom. The handles on the brush heads extend 18 feet, allowing the crew to clean all the way above the passenger windows and to the top of the tail. After the job is complete, the brush heads are re-used and the polishing pads are washed - creating little to no waste. Not only does a clean plane look good, but it performs better in flight. "This really began as a customer-focused initiative," Nimmo explains. "We want our customers to know they are flying on safe and clean planes." PHOTO BY CHRIS BARR When traveling at 500 miles per hour, a plane just can't get that dirty. Or so you'd think. But much like your car, US Airways' planes, which are now part of American Airlines, collect plenty of dirt and grime in a short time. That's why the airline developed a program to make sure all its planes get a good washing every 180 days. Owen Nimmo, regional manager of contract line maintenance, oversees the program. "Our aircraft are washed overnight while they are sitting at a station," he explains. "We do washings at a few different locations including Philadelphia, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, and Rio de Janeiro." Due to the mild weather at most of these stations, washings are done year-round. "In Philadelphia, the aircraft ★ Behind the Scenes of Your Flight http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - May 2014

Table of Contents
Perspective: CEO Letter
From the Editor
Making It Happen
Wine & Dine: Encinitas, California
Wine & Dine: Benjamin Steakhouse and The Sea Fire Grill
Diversions: Western North Carolina Cheese Trail
Adventure: California State Parks
Adventure: Kiteboarding
Connections: Everybody's Business
Style Spotlight: Petal Power
Great Escapes: Los Cabos, Mexico
Great Escapes: Melbourne, Florida
Gear Up: Mother's Day
Travel Feature: Victor Hugo's Paris
US Airways Feature: Serving Those Who Serve Us
Hidden Treasure: Central Arkansas
Best of Health: Miami Beach Foot & Ankle Surgery
Great Dates: Eastern Music Festival
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Audio Entertainment
Video Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
oneworld alliance
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - May 2014