Aviation experts reveal a fascinating reason why planes are sometimes sprayed with WATER when they land

The next time you see fire trucks aiming at an airplane, fear not, because this is probably a cause for celebration rather than a fire.

An aviation expert from Schiphol Airport has shed light on an insider tradition known as the ‘water cannon salute’, in which jets of water create an ‘arc’ for planes to pass under.

In a YouTube videoAirside operations specialist Edward de Kruijf explains that most of the time it is done as a ‘tribute’ to a special occasion, such as ‘a new aircraft on the rise’ or the ‘arrival of Olympic athletes’.

He reveals that arranging the salute takes quite a bit of planning, as two fire engines have to be positioned in the right place so that the water can line up with the plane’s arrival.

The Schiphol Airport website also notes that ‘wind direction must be taken into account and the process must be coordinated together with air traffic control’.

In a YouTube video, airside operations specialist Edward de Kruijf explains that this is usually done as a ‘tribute’ to mark a special occasion.

Once free, they note how important it is that the pilot makes an announcement about the water salute to the passengers, “otherwise the sight of fire engines 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 see it ‘from above’, along with the passengers on board.

In some cases the water salutes have not gone to plan and in Saudi Arabia one of the fire engines struck the left side of the aircraft forcing an emergency exit hatch located above the wing to open.

The incident, which occurred in 2018, triggered a main alarm that alerted the flight crew to what was happening and allowed them to stop the aircraft.

One passenger, who had been sitting in a window seat next to the hatch, suffered minor injuries as a result of the accident 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 defect in one of the hoses.

A firefighter had attempted to select a high-pressure setting on the hose, which would cause the water arc to appear in the style of a traditional salute, but the hose did not respond properly.

On a lighter note, if all 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 a water salute takes place.

According to the aviation website Easy flyingThe tradition of saluting with water cannons can be traced back to the maritime industry.

Arranging the salute requires quite a bit of planning, as two fire engines must be positioned in the right place so that the water can align with the aircraft’s arrival

When each water salute takes place, the firefighters ensure that there is enough water left in their tanks in case they actually have to extinguish a fire

It notes: ‘In the 19th and 20th centuries, when ships were launched on their maiden voyages (and usually upon arrival at their first port), fireboats marked the occasion with an arc of water.

‘The water cannon salute quickly became a tradition.’

It is believed that the tradition was adopted by the aviation industry in the 1990s.

The site points to an unverified report, which states: “A Delta Air Lines captain had just landed in Salt Lake City on his last flight before retirement.

‘The fire brigade unit at that airport started spraying water over the plane as a token of appreciation for a great career.

“From there, the practice spread like wildfire.”

The Schiphol Airport website emphasizes that firefighters ensure that there is sufficient water in their tanks during each water salute in case they actually have to extinguish a fire.

The experts conclude: ‘As much as we love our traditions… safety always comes first.’