Sometimes firefighters spray water on either side of an aircraft landing at an airport, and this is known as ‘’Water Salute”. This is quite common in the International Civil Aviation literature.
What Is Water Salute At Airports?
It is this ceremony, complete with two firefighters mutually squeezing water and the plane passing under this water show. It can sometimes be accomplished with three vehicles, meeting in the centre of the water cannons.
Why Water Salute Is Made At Airports?
There are main reasons for giving a water salute. The water salute is a very special airport tradition that prides itself on military veterans, foreign dignitaries and the new airline service. As mentioned above, it is a ceremony of respect, honour and gratitude that is sprayed from two sources (usually ARFF firefighters) and lasts about 2 minutes.
In What Cases Is The Water Salute Performed?
- For an airline landing at an airport for the first time,
- For a plane flying commercially for the first time,
- When the pilot of the aircraft or ATC (Air Traffic Controller) retires,
- If the airline is making its last flight from an airport around the world,
- This is usually the case to honour important figures or statesmen.
When Did The Tradition Of The Water Salute First Begin?
No one has a complete knowledge of when and how this tradition began. But aircraft were used for ships before they even entered our lives.
In ancient times, a similar ceremony was held with tugboats in the port where they came to ships crossing the ocean by sea. So this tradition is not only unique to aircraft. This ceremony may have given the aviators ideas.
