The next time you see fire trucks pointing at an airplane, don’t be afraid, as it’s probably cause for celebration rather than fire.
An aviation expert at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has shed light on an internal tradition known as the “water cannon salute”, in which jets of water create an “arc” for planes to pass under.
In to Youtube videoAir operations specialist Edward de Kruijf explains that it is most often done as a “homage” to commemorate a special occasion such as “the emergence of a new aircraft” or the “arrival of the Olympic athletes.”
He reveals that organizing the salute requires quite a bit of planning, as two fire trucks must be placed in the right place so that the water can align with the plane’s arrival.
He Schiphol Airport website He also points out that “it is necessary to take into account the direction of the wind and coordinate the process with air traffic control.”
An aviation expert at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has shed light on an internal tradition known as the “water cannon salute”, in which jets of water create an “arc” for the plane to turn downwards.
In a YouTube video, air operations specialist Edward de Kruijf explains that it is most often done as a “tribute” to commemorate a special occasion.
Once cleared, they point out the importance of the pilot making an announcement about the water salute to passengers, “otherwise the sight of fire trucks and flashing lights just after landing could cause panic.”
In the YouTube video, Edward reveals that the water salute is quite a spectacle for the air traffic control team, who can “watch it from above,” along with the passengers on board.
In some cases, water salutes have not gone as planned and in Saudi Arabia, one of the fire truck planes struck the left side of the plane and forced an emergency exit hatch over the wing to open.
The incident, which occurred in 2018, triggered a general alarm that alerted the flight crew to what was happening and allowed them to stop the plane.
A passenger, who was sitting next to the hatch in a window seat, suffered minor injuries as a result of the mishap but was able to continue his journey.
According to a statement from the General Aviation Authority (GAA) of the United Arab Emirates, there was a technical failure in one of the hoses.
A firefighter had attempted to select a high-pressure setting on the hose so that the water would arc in the style of a traditional salute, but the hose did not respond correctly.
On a happier note, when everything goes to plan, the Schiphol Airport team says that “with a little luck and a ray of sunshine, you might even see a rainbow” when performing a water salute.
According to the aviation website. single flightThe tradition of water cannon salutes dates back to the maritime industry.
Organizing the salute requires quite a bit of planning, as two fire trucks have to be placed in the right place so that the water can align with the plane’s arrival.
When each water salvo is fired, firefighters make sure there is enough water left in their tanks in case they really need to put out a fire.
He notes: ‘In the 19th and 20th centuries, when ships were launched on maiden voyages (and usually upon arriving at their first port), fireboats marked the occasion with a water bow.
“Water cannon salutes quickly became a tradition.”
The tradition is believed to have been adopted by the aviation industry in the 1990s.
The site points to an unverified report revealing: ‘A Delta Air Lines captain had just landed in Salt Lake City on his last flight before retiring.
‘The fire department at that airport began spraying water on the plane in recognition of its excellent career.
“From there, the practice spread like wildfire.”
Schiphol Airport’s website highlights that when each water salvo is carried out, firefighters make sure there is enough water left in their tanks in case they really need to put out a fire.
The experts conclude: “As much as we love our traditions… safety always comes first.”