Exterior Dry Wash at Palermo Falcone e Borsellino (LICJ)
Waterless exterior cleaning on the Palermo apron—no wash bay, no delays, full documentation.
Exterior Dry Wash at Palermo Falcone e Borsellino serves flight departments and charter operators positioning through Sicily or basing aircraft at LICJ for Mediterranean programmes. We perform waterless exterior cleaning directly on stand using aviation-approved rinseless products, removing bug residue, exhaust soot, hydraulic film and belly contamination without runoff or the need for a wash bay. The service suits super-midsize through ultra-long-range jets and ACJ/BBJ airframes, with turnaround times scheduled between legs or during overnight stops to keep your aircraft presentable without disrupting the flight schedule.
07/25 · 3326 m, 02/20 · 2068 m
AIP and airport data65 ft
35 km
Palermo city centre (west-north-west, Punta Raisi/Cinisi)Why choose a dry wash over a traditional water wash at Palermo?
Waterless cleaning eliminates the variables that complicate wet washes: no need to locate or reserve a wash bay, no concerns about apron drainage rules, no risk of water intrusion near avionics bays or static ports, and no waiting for surfaces to dry before departure. At an airport 35 km from Palermo city centre, where crews and contractors face a long transfer from town, logistical simplicity matters.
Our rinseless chemistry lifts dirt into suspension so microfibre applicators can remove it safely, leaving a clean, streak-free finish on paint, composite and polycarbonate windows. The process works equally well in warm coastal conditions and during cooler months, and because we carry all consumables to the aircraft, there is no dependency on airside water points or external power for pressure equipment.
For operators running regular cycles through Sicily—shuttle contracts, charter rotations, seasonal positioning—dry wash offers predictable timing and no surprises on the day of service.
What changes at Palermo Falcone e Borsellino for exterior cleaning?
Palermo sits at 65 feet elevation on the coast at Punta Raisi, and the airport operates two runways: 07/25 at 3,326 metres with a 60-metre width and displaced thresholds at both ends, and 02/20 at 2,068 metres. The longer runway handles the majority of jet operations, and ramp space is shared between commercial traffic and general aviation, so stand availability and handler coordination become part of the planning conversation.
The coastal Mediterranean environment accelerates certain types of contamination: salt haze settles on leading edges and brightwork, and the combination of warm air and frequent insect activity during spring and summer leaves a protein film on nose cones, wing roots and engine inlets that hardens quickly if not addressed. A dry wash removes this biofilm without pressurised water that might force residue into panel gaps or pitot-static systems.
Handling agents present at the airport coordinate stand access and airside escort, and because the service is performed on the apron without external utilities, we adapt to the slot you have rather than the other way around.
How does the service work for aircraft on a recurring schedule versus one-off transits?
If your aircraft operates a regular pattern through LICJ—weekly charter blocks, a seasonal Mediterranean programme, or a semi-permanent base during summer—we schedule dry washes on a fixed interval, typically every two to four weeks depending on utilisation and exposure. Recurring work means we maintain a standing airside pass, pre-clear each visit with the handler, and keep a service history so the tech log reflects continuity and the cabin crew sees consistent results.
For one-off transits, the process is just as straightforward but requires tighter coordination. You provide the arrival and departure times, any slot constraints, and whether the aircraft will be on a remote stand or closer to the terminal; we confirm handler details, obtain escort if needed, and arrive on the apron with sufficient margin to complete the wash and allow the flight crew to perform their walk-around without rushing. A single dry wash will not restore neglected paint, but it will remove the immediate contamination and leave the aircraft presentable for the next leg.
In both cases we deliver a digital photo report and annotate the tech log, so there is a record for your SMS and for any subsequent detailing or paint-correction work.
What does the documentation and photo report include?
Every exterior dry wash concludes with a digital photo set taken in natural light, showing the overall condition post-cleaning and highlighting any areas that merit attention: paint chips on leading edges, hydraulic staining that did not lift completely, nacelle scuffs, or corrosion spots on belly panels. The report is not a sales document; it is a factual record that helps the chief pilot or maintenance controller decide whether to schedule a decontamination wash, a single-stage polish, or a deeper inspection during the next maintenance window.
We also make a brief entry in the tech log—date, service performed, any remarks—and if you operate under an SMS that requires traceability for appearance work, the photo set and log entry together provide the audit trail. For fleet operators managing multiple airframes, consistent documentation across different airports makes it easier to compare condition trends and allocate budget intelligently.
How do you time the wash around flight operations at Palermo?
Operational timing depends on whether the aircraft is turning quickly or staying overnight. For a short turnaround—passenger disembarkation, refuel, catering, then outbound within two hours—a dry wash is usually impractical unless the inbound leg was cancelled or significantly delayed, creating an unexpected window. We can complete a super-midsize jet in three to four hours and an ultra-long-range airframe in six to eight, so the realistic scenario is an extended ground stop: a crew rest, a charter pause between morning and evening legs, or an overnight.
When the aircraft arrives in the afternoon and departs the following morning, we coordinate with the handler to begin work once the GPU is connected and the cabin crew has finished their post-flight duties. Night work is feasible if apron lighting is adequate and the handler permits it; otherwise we start at first light, which in summer at this latitude means early enough to finish well before a mid-morning slot.
If you are AOG or waiting on a part, the downtime becomes an opportunity to bring the exterior back to standard without adding delay once the aircraft is serviceable again.
What contaminants does a dry wash handle, and what does it leave behind?
Rinseless products excel at removing organic films—bug protein, bird droppings, light exhaust carbon, hydraulic mist—and inorganic dust that has not yet bonded to the paint. We also degrease the belly and gear bays, lifting oil residue and brake dust that accumulates around nacelle strakes and main-gear doors. Exterior windows and nav lights are cleaned to restore transparency, and we perform light brightwork touch-up on leading edges where oxidation is minimal.
What a dry wash will not do is remove heavy oxidation, embedded industrial fallout, or staining that has etched into the clear coat. Those issues require a decontamination wash with clay treatment or a single-stage machine polish, both of which take longer and cost more. If the photo report reveals that kind of damage, we note it and recommend the appropriate next step, but the dry wash itself remains a maintenance-interval service, not a paint-correction procedure.
Questions operators ask about Exterior Dry Wash at Palermo Falcone e Borsellino
How long does an exterior dry wash take at Palermo?
Three to eight hours, depending on aircraft size and condition. A super-midsize jet typically requires three to four hours, while an ultra-long-range or BBJ airframe may take six to eight. Timing also depends on the level of contamination and whether the belly requires extended degreasing work.
Can you perform the service on a remote stand?
Yes, dry wash is designed for ramp work with no external utilities required. We bring all consumables and equipment to the aircraft, so stand location does not limit the service. The handler arranges airside escort if the stand is remote, and we coordinate timing to avoid conflicts with refuelling or catering.
Do you need access to water or power on the apron?
No, the process is entirely self-contained. Waterless products are applied by hand using microfibre applicators, and no pressure equipment or external power is involved. This makes scheduling simpler and eliminates dependency on apron infrastructure.
Will a dry wash remove salt haze from coastal operations?
Yes, rinseless chemistry lifts salt deposits and light corrosion precursors. Mediterranean coastal environments deposit salt haze on leading edges, nacelles and brightwork. A dry wash removes this contamination before it accelerates oxidation, though heavier corrosion or staining may require a decontamination wash or polish.
How often should an aircraft receive a dry wash at Palermo?
Every two to four weeks for aircraft in regular service. The interval depends on utilisation, season and exposure. Aircraft operating frequent legs during insect-heavy months may benefit from a tighter schedule, while those on lighter duty can extend to four weeks without compromising appearance.
Do you provide a tech log entry and photo documentation?
Yes, every service includes a digital photo report and log annotation. We photograph the aircraft post-cleaning in natural light, highlighting any areas that need attention, and make a brief entry in the tech log. The documentation supports SMS traceability and helps maintenance controllers plan future work.
Can the service be scheduled for an overnight stop?
Yes, overnight stops are ideal for dry wash timing. We coordinate with the handler to begin work once the aircraft is secured and the cabin crew has finished post-flight duties. If apron lighting and handler policy permit, we can work at night; otherwise we start at first light to complete before departure.
What if the aircraft is AOG or waiting on maintenance?
Downtime is an opportunity to restore exterior appearance without adding delay. If the aircraft is unserviceable and waiting on a part or inspection, we can perform the dry wash during the ground stop so the exterior is clean and documented when the aircraft returns to service, with no impact on the maintenance schedule.
Do you clean the belly and landing gear during a dry wash?
Yes, belly and gear-bay degreasing are included in the service. We remove oil residue, hydraulic film and brake dust from the belly panels, nacelle strakes and main-gear doors. Heavy corrosion or structural staining may require a decontamination wash, which we note in the photo report if present.
Which handling agents coordinate stand access at Palermo?
Handling agents present at the airport arrange stand allocation and airside escort. We work with whichever handler your flight department or charter operator has selected. The handler coordinates stand access, provides escort if required, and ensures we have the necessary clearances to perform ramp-side work without conflicting with other ground services.