Exterior Dry Wash at Alghero Fertilia (LIEA)
Waterless ramp detailing for business jets at Sardinia's seasonal leisure gateway
Exterior Dry Wash at Alghero Fertilia serves flight departments and charter operators whose super-midsize to ultra-long-range jets call at this north-west Sardinian resort airport. We perform complete waterless exterior cleaning on stand using aviation-approved dry-wash chemistry: fuselage, wings, empennage, nacelles, belly, gear and brightwork, with no runoff and no need for a wash bay. The airport operator SO.GE.A.AL manages apron access; we coordinate directly with your handler to meet the aircraft, work around your turnaround and deliver a photo report before departure.
02/20 · 3000 m
AIP and airport data87 ft
What does a dry wash deliver on the ramp at Alghero?
The service removes bug strikes, exhaust carbon, hydraulic misting and general road film that accumulates between scheduled washes. We arrive at the stand with trolleys of waterless product, microfibre applicators and detailing tools, then work section by section: upper fuselage and cheat line, wings and winglets, nacelles, empennage, belly and landing-gear bays. Bug residue on leading edges and radome receives targeted treatment; exhaust staining around APU and engine outlets is lifted with stronger chemistry; the gear bays are degreased and wiped down.
Exterior windows, lights and inspection panels are cleaned, and we finish with a light touch-up on brightwork where oxidation has begun to dull the leading edges. The process leaves no standing water, requires no GPU hookup for a rinse cycle, and produces no runoff that might complicate apron drainage or environmental protocols. Duration ranges from three hours for a super-midsize to eight for an ultra-long-range airframe, depending on condition and the degree of belly soiling.
How do we coordinate with the handler at Alghero Fertilia?
Because no independent FBO could be verified at the airport, SO.GE.A.AL—the airport operator—is the point of contact for apron access and any third-party service request. Handling agents present at the airport will relay your detailing requirement, arrange our airside escort if we do not hold a current pass, and confirm the stand assignment and estimated block time. We ask for notice as early as possible, ideally forty-eight hours, though we have turned around requests inside twenty-four when the schedule allows.
On the day, we check in with the handler's duty supervisor, collect the escort, and position our equipment at the aircraft as soon as the chocks are in and the apron is declared safe. If you are turning quickly—refuelling, catering, one pilot leg-rest—we focus on the upper surfaces and forward fuselage first, leaving belly and gear work until the fuelling hose is clear. The handler will let us know if the slot is tight or if there is pressure from the next departure; we adjust the scope or pause mid-job and resume on the next visit if the window closes.
What changes at Alghero Fertilia that affects the wash?
Alghero sits at 87 feet elevation on Sardinia's north-west coast, with a single 3,000-metre runway and traffic concentrated in the summer route season. The long runway and low field elevation mean no performance penalty for heavier jets, but the seasonal leisure profile brings apron congestion from June through September: stands fill with narrowbody charters, slot discipline tightens, and any service that extends ground time must be planned around peak-movement windows.
Winter and shoulder months are quieter, with more flexibility for longer detailing sessions and less competition for handler attention. The coastal location means salt spray and fine sand are constant adversaries; after a southerly wind or a low approach over the beach, the fuselage will carry a haze of saline dust that a dry wash handles efficiently. Cold-soaking is rarely an issue at this elevation and latitude, but in high summer the apron surface radiates heat: we work early morning or late afternoon when the airframe temperature has moderated, ensuring the waterless product does not flash or streak on hot paint.
What documentation and photos do you provide after the service?
Every dry wash closes with a digital report sent to the email or WhatsApp number you nominate. The report includes time on and time off, airframe registration, stand location, a checklist of completed tasks—fuselage, wings, nacelles, belly, gear, brightwork, windows—and a set of time-stamped photographs showing the aircraft from multiple angles. The photos serve as proof of condition for your tech log, for the owner if the jet is managed, or for the charter client if the flight is Part-NCC.
If we note anything during the wash—a fluid weep, a loose inspection panel, a crack in a window seal, a tyre with visible canvas—we document it in the report and inform the captain or engineer on site. The report is not a substitute for a walk-around, but it gives you a second set of eyes and a time-stamped record. Some fleet managers file the photos with their maintenance tracking; others forward them to the owner as assurance that the aircraft is being looked after between revenue legs.
Why choose a dry wash instead of waiting for a full wet wash?
A dry wash is an interim measure, not a replacement for a two-bucket rinse or a single-stage polish, but it extends the period between deep washes and keeps the aircraft presentable when a wash bay is not available or the schedule does not allow the downtime. At a seasonal resort airport like Alghero, where your jet may arrive for a long weekend and depart Monday morning, there is rarely time to tow to a maintenance base or arrange a full decon and polish.
The waterless chemistry we use is pH-neutral, contains no silicone and will not interfere with future paint correction or ceramic coatings. It lifts light to moderate soiling without scratching, and because there is no rinse phase, there is no risk of water intrusion around static ports, pitot tubes or avionics bays. For an owner who expects the aircraft to look sharp on every ramp, or a charter operator whose clients photograph the jet for social media, a dry wash every two to four weeks maintains that standard without the logistical burden of a wet detail.
How do we book an exterior dry wash at Alghero Fertilia?
Contact us by email, telephone or the booking form on our website as soon as your Alghero rotation is confirmed. Provide the registration, aircraft type, estimated arrival and departure times, and the name of your handling agent if already arranged. We will confirm availability, quote a fixed price based on the airframe, and coordinate directly with the handler for apron access and escort.
If your schedule shifts—weather, slot delay, passenger change of plan—let us know and we will adjust. Payment is by invoice after the service, with the report and photos attached. For fleet operators or charter companies with regular Sardinian rotations, we can set up a standing agreement so that every visit to Alghero triggers a dry wash without individual booking; you fly, we clean, you receive the report, and the invoice follows at month-end.
Questions operators ask about Exterior Dry Wash at Alghero Fertilia
How long does an exterior dry wash take at Alghero Fertilia?
Three to eight hours, depending on aircraft size and condition. A super-midsize airframe in regular service typically requires three to four hours. An ultra-long-range jet with a soiled belly and neglected gear bays may take six to eight hours. We adapt the timeline to your turnaround and can pause mid-job if the departure slot advances.
Can you perform the wash during a quick turnaround?
Yes, we prioritise visible surfaces and complete belly work when the fuelling hose is clear. If you have a tight slot, we focus on the upper fuselage, wings and forward section first—the areas passengers and ramp observers see. Once refuelling is complete and the apron is safe, we move to the belly and gear. If time runs out, we note what remains and finish on the next visit.
Do you need a GPU or external power to perform the service?
No, a dry wash requires no aircraft power or water hookup. The process is entirely manual: waterless product applied by hand with microfibre applicators, then buffed to a streak-free finish. We bring our own trolleys, lighting if needed, and all consumables. The aircraft can remain on battery or fully shut down.
What if the aircraft is cold-soaked or covered in frost?
We wait for the airframe to reach ambient temperature before starting. Waterless chemistry does not work on frozen surfaces, and wiping a cold-soaked fuselage risks streaking or product failure. At Alghero's low elevation and mild coastal climate, cold-soaking is rare, but if it occurs we delay the wash until the skin temperature rises or reschedule for later in the day.
Will the dry wash remove heavy exhaust staining or hydraulic fluid?
Yes, we use stronger degreasers for nacelle soot and gear-bay hydraulic film. Bug residue and light exhaust carbon lift with standard waterless product. Heavier staining around the APU outlet or engine nacelles requires a targeted degreaser, which we carry as part of the kit. Hydraulic misting on the belly and inside the gear bays is wiped down with solvent-safe chemistry that will not harm seals or paint.
Do you clean the belly and landing gear during a dry wash?
Yes, belly and gear degreasing are included in every exterior dry wash. We degrease the belly panels, wheel wells and landing-gear struts, removing oil film, brake dust and road grime. The gear doors and exposed hydraulic lines are wiped clean. This work is done last, after fuelling is complete and the apron is clear of ground equipment.
Can you perform the wash at night or during weekend hours?
Yes, if the handler can arrange apron access and escort outside normal hours. Alghero's operating hours and any curfew are managed by SO.GE.A.AL; if your flight arrives late or departs early and the handler can escort us airside, we will work the aircraft under portable lighting. Weekend and holiday calls incur no surcharge, though advance notice improves crew availability.
What happens if we discover damage or a fluid leak during the wash?
We document it with photos, note it in the report, and inform the captain or engineer immediately. Our crew are trained to recognise common issues: hydraulic weeps, cracked seals, loose panels, tyre wear. If we see something, we photograph it, mark it in the digital report, and tell the flight crew or maintenance contact on site so you can decide whether it is airworthy or requires attention before departure.
How often should a business jet receive a dry wash?
Every two to four weeks for aircraft in regular service. The interval depends on utilisation, routing and owner expectations. A jet flying daily through coastal or industrial environments benefits from a wash every two weeks. An aircraft with lighter schedules or a fastidious owner may stretch to four weeks. A dry wash between deeper wet details keeps the airframe looking sharp and prevents contaminant buildup.
Do you offer a standing arrangement for fleet operators visiting Alghero regularly?
Yes, we can set up a recurring service triggered by each arrival. For charter operators or fleet managers with regular Sardinian rotations, we establish a standing order: you file the flight plan, notify us of the arrival, and we meet the aircraft without individual booking. The wash is performed, the report sent, and the invoice follows at month-end. This removes the administrative friction and ensures consistency across the fleet.