Fire engines spraying water at planes when they land has long been a curious sight for many.
Recently, the mystery behind this tradition has been unveiled, leaving people both surprised and intrigued.
At airports, you may have witnessed the spectacle of two powerful streams of water being shot over a taxiing plane, but why does this happen?
It turns out that this practice at sea involves spraying water onto ships to welcome or say goodbye to them as they arrive or depart from the port.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is known for carrying out this ritual as a tradition for many incoming planes.
Their website offers an extensive explanation of the practice.
During the water salute, two fire engines are parked on either side of the runway, creating an arc for the plane to taxi under on its way to the gate.
The airport states that water salutes are used to mark special occasions, ranging from the inaugural flight of a new airline to the arrival of a new type of aircraft or even an Olympic team returning home.
It is not simply a matter of spraying water from the fire engines; careful positioning of the engines in safe locations is crucial to ensure the plane can pass through safely.
Several factors are taken into consideration, such as wind conditions, the green light from Air Traffic Control, and the pilot's consent.
If all goes well, the passengers are informed about the water salute upon their arrival.
Although the presence of fire engines, water hoses, and flashing lights might not seem inviting, firefighters have to make sure there is sufficient water in the tanks to put out a real fire if necessary.
It is worth mentioning that there are rare occasions when fire engines have to put out fires on planes upon landing.
Therefore, the presence of fire engines during the water salute serves the dual purpose of celebrating and ensuring passenger safety.
