Aircraft groomer

Aircraft groomers clean aircraft cabins and airplanes after usage. They vacuum or sweep the interior of cabin, brushes debris from seats, and arranges seat belts. They clean trash and debris from seat pockets and arranged in-flight magazines, safety cards, and sickness bags. They also clean galleys and lavatories.

The duties of an aircraft groomer include, but are not limited to:

• Washing or cleaning aircraft interiors using commercial cleaning products and equipment
• Inspecting aircraft parts for damage or defects that may have occurred during a flight
• Storing cleaning supplies in designated locations on the plane to ensure that they are available when needed
• Using specialized equipment to remove biohazardous material from aircraft cabins and lavatories
• Cleaning and polishing metal fittings and fixtures inside the plane, including seats and tray tables
• Cleaning and maintaining lavatories and bathrooms on planes, including scrubbing floors and walls, replacing linens, and mopping floors
• Applying protective coatings to aircraft surfaces to prevent rust and corrosion
• Dusting and vacuuming seats and carpets, removing trash from seats and bins, and cleaning windows and mirrors using specialized tools and equipment
• Scrubbing and waxing floors and walls, cleaning upholstery and cushioned seats, removing stains and spots from carpet or fabric surfaces

Working conditions

Aircraft groomers typically work in hangars or on the tarmac at airports. They may be exposed to loud noise from aircraft engines, fumes from cleaning chemicals, and inclement weather conditions. They typically work in teams of two or more and use ladders, scaffolding, and other equipment to reach high areas on the aircraft. They may also be required to crawl into small spaces to clean hard-to-reach areas.

Aircraft groomers typically work full time, and their hours may vary depending on the airline’s schedule. They may work early morning, evening, or overnight shifts and may be required to work on weekends and holidays.

The following job titles also refer to aircraft groomer:

• aeroplane cleaner
• airplane cleaner
• aircraft cleaner
• cabin cleaner
• aeroplane groomer
• airplane groomer
• aircraft groomer
• plane cleaner
• groomer for aircraft
• groomer for airplane
• groomer for aeroplane

Aircraft groomers typically need a high school diploma. A post-secondary program in aircraft cleaning is an asset for this role.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Aircraft groomer is a Skill level 1 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to aircraft groomer.

airport baggage handler
distribution centre dispatcher
hand packer
rail intermodal equipment operator
warehouse order picker

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of aircraft groomer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of aircraft groomer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

kettle tender
ordinary seaman
bulk filler
candy machine operator
cacao beans cleaner

These skills are necessary for the role of aircraft groomer.

• Communicate verbal instructions: Communicate transparent instructions. Ensure that messages are understood and followed correctly.
• Sort waste: Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
• Follow ethical code of conduct in transport services: Carry out transport services according to accepted principles of right and wrong. This includes principles of fairness, transparency, and impartiality.
• Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
• Perform cleaning duties: Perform cleaning duties such as waste removal, vacuuming, emptying bins, and general cleaning of the working area. Cleaning activities should follow health and safety regulations if required.
• Vacuum surfaces: Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and small particles from floors, drapes, carpets or furniture.
• Inspect aircraft cleanliness: Conduct inspections to ensure the aircraft is clean; inspect whether refuse has been removed, whether the seats are arranged properly, and the cleanliness of galleys and lavatories.
• Follow hygienic procedures during food processing: Ensure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.
• Comply with checklists: Follow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.
• Report anomalies in aircraft interiors: Identify flaws within the interior of aircraft, such as seats and lavatories, etc., and report them to control manager according to safety procedures.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aircraft groomer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Act reliably: Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.
• Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
• Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
• Work in an aviation team: Work confidently in a group in general aviation services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, air safety, and aircraft maintenance.
• Follow written instructions: Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
• Manage cleaning activities: Oversee cleaning activities undertaken by employees.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• Perform manual work autonomously: Show the ability to pursue basic manual tasks without the help or assistance of others, not needing supervision or guidance, and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
• Follow verbal instructions: Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.

9112 – Cleaners and helpers in offices, hotels and other establishments

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References

1. ESCO
2. Aircraft Cleaner Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climbtheladder
3. Featured image: By Chris Finney – Wikimedia