Aircraft waste. How airplane toilets are arranged - what you need to know before using. In domestic aircraft

Everyone who has flown in airplanes has probably wondered how the sewage system is arranged in it. Is all waste products thrown directly into the air? AiF.ru tried to sort out this issue.

How do airplane toilets work?

Bio-toilets are installed in modern aircraft. That is, in the sewer system of the liners there are special tanks where waste gets after flushing in the toilet and in the sink. The volume of these tanks in different aircraft varies. So, in the Tu-154, tanks for the front toilet with a volume of 115 liters and for the second - 280 liters are installed, and in the A-320 there is only one tank for 170 liters. Chemicals are added to the tank to disinfect the water and get rid of the smell. After the aircraft has landed, all the sewage in them is drained, removed and disposed of with the help of a “vacuum system”.

Why is there such a noise when flushing an airplane toilet?

The toilet in an airplane is flushed with a characteristic noise that many mistake for a second depressurization of the cabin. In fact, as we have already said, waste is not thrown into the air, but sent to a special tank. At the same time, flushing with water in flight, when every kilogram counts, is extremely uneconomical. Therefore, waste products are removed from the toilet with a powerful directional air flow, which forms a specific sound.

Where is the toilet on the plane?

Different planes have different locations and number of toilet cubicles:

there are three toilets on the Tu-154, A-320 and Boeing-737 aircraft: one is located at the entrance to the aircraft, and two are in the tail;
Boeing 767 has 5 toilets: 1 at the beginning of business class, two between business and economy classes, two in the middle of economy class;
there are 11 toilets in the Boeing 747: two at the beginning and at the end of the aircraft cabin, four in the middle of the cabin, 3 toilets on the second deck.

Rules for using the toilet on the plane

For the safe use of the toilet on board an aircraft, certain rules must be followed:

You can not use the toilet during takeoff and landing.
Close the toilet lid before pressing the flush button.
Toilet paper, and especially diapers and pads, should be thrown into special bins located next to the toilet.
Do not smoke or use hazardous and smoke-producing products, as this will trigger the aircraft smoke detection system alarm.

Thinking about how a toilet is arranged in a modern aircraft, many compare it to a train and assume that waste is released into the atmosphere. This is a misconception, and the newest trains already have dry closets. In very rare cases, toilet discharges end up on the ground from the air, but this is only due to a malfunctioning sewer system. Next, we will talk about how the aircraft restroom works, what are its differences on different models of ships and what are the rules for using it on board.

Historical reference

Somewhere before the 60s, there were no toilets with toilets and sinks on airplanes in most cases. On many models of the last century, buckets were placed, which served as a place for emptying in case of such need. Some aircraft have installed open waste disposal systems. The pipe from the toilet went outside, and at its end was a valve that opened during the drain. Such a mechanism was used in aircraft with an unpressurized cabin, such as, for example, the Il-14 and Douglas DC-7 models. The high-altitude vehicles used a two-valve drain pipe to avoid depressurization. Similar devices were on board the Il-18 and Tu-104. The restroom of a modern aircraft looks different.

Interesting fact! In 1998, a German fisherman, who was fishing near the airport, was hit by debris from an A320 flying over him. He subsequently complained to the police. In early 2000, a piece of ice with feces fell on a man's car in Spain. The excrement weighed about 4 kg and crushed the hood of the car when it fell. And in 2016, in the Netherlands, frozen waste entered the house of one of the residents through her window.

How does a modern airplane toilet work?

If you look at the photo of the toilet in a modern aircraft, you can see a full-fledged restroom with a toilet bowl, sink, urn and a changing table. Water for consumption on board is loaded before every flight. Some types of aircraft have one water supply system, where water from one tank is used both for boiling, drinking, and for washing hands and flushing toilets. Such a mechanism is installed in the A320 models. The Boeing 373 and Tu-154 have a separate tank of water that is only for draining.

On all types of modern aircraft, waste during the flight is stored in special tanks. In some of them, fecal and urinary masses are washed off with water, in others they are sucked into a special tank under vacuum, then the remains are washed off with a small amount of water. To prevent the stored emissions from emitting an unpleasant odor, they are treated with a blue-colored chemical disinfectant and deodorant.

There are closed sewer systems. On aircraft with a similar waste disposal mechanism, stools are filtered: solids enter the storage tank, liquids are disinfected and used to flush the sewers on board.

Knowing where everything goes, you should not worry that a depressurization will occur or a person will be pulled into the toilet. This never happens, since the suction of feces occurs due to the pressure difference in the toilet bowl and the waste tank. But pressing the drain button while sitting on the toilet is also not worth it.

How many toilets are in the cabin and where are they located?

How many toilets are on board depends on the model of the aircraft, its age, the airline and the number of passengers. Often the toilet is located at the beginning and end of the vessel, on large airliners they are scattered around the cabin:

small vessels like Yak-40, CRJ-200, ATR-72 have one bathroom, which is located in the tail;
Boeings of the 737th model, A320, Tu-154, Yak-42 are equipped with three latrines: one at the entrance and two in the tail section of the aircraft;
the Boeing 767 has five restrooms: one in front of business class, one between business and economy class, and two in economy class;
the A380 often has seven sanitary blocks: two in the bow, one between first and business class, and four in the tail;
There are eleven toilets on the Boening 747: two in the bow and two in the tail, four in the middle of the aircraft and three on the second floor of the liner.

Depending on the modification of the aircraft and the requirements of the airline, the number and location of lavatories may be changed.

You can find the toilet by the luminous WC display, which also shows whether the bathroom is occupied or free.

Where does the waste go?

From the above, it is clear that poop (may our readers forgive us!) does not go anywhere on the plane, but remains on board in special tanks throughout the flight. The number and size of these containers varies depending on the type of aircraft. So, the Tu-154 has two such tanks, and the A320 has one.

Upon arrival, all waste is taken from the aircraft tanks through a special valve into the sewage equipment - a special machine that collects toilet feces from aircraft and refills the tanks with new disinfectant liquid as needed. Where does airplane feces go next? After the filled car takes out the waste collected from the toilets to special places for disposal.

Types of toilets

Often the toilet on an airplane is a cramped low room with a small toilet and a narrow sink. It is very difficult for a large person to use such a bathroom. The exception is the sanitary rooms on aircraft with increased comfort in business class, as well as on private aircraft. There you can find not only a spacious restroom with a luxurious design, a chic toilet bowl and a gilded sink, but also a shower room or even a SPA.

In old Soviet military aircraft, a bathroom was not provided at all. For defecation, special urinals or tightly closed ordinary buckets could be used. More modern models already have toilets similar to those used on passenger ships, or small toilet modules for crew members.

How to use the toilet on an airplane?

You can use the toilet when the plane has gained altitude and the commander has given the command to unfasten the seat belts. Above each bathroom there is a sign that shows whether it is occupied or free. Red light means "busy", "green" means free. Such designations are also placed on the door handle.

In an airplane, the principle of operation of the toilet is the same as in other vehicles with dry closets. For proper use after a bowel movement, close the toilet lid and press the "flush". For paper and other waste, you must use the bin.

The toilet door can be opened from the outside. There is a special button for this, called LAVATORY. Under it is a lever with which you can open the door. Knowing how the toilet works on an airplane, as well as the meaning of this valuable button, you can, for example, open the door if a small child or a person who has become ill has closed in the cabin.

What to do in the toilets of the aircraft is prohibited?

To avoid problems during the flight, you should follow some rules. Neglecting them can not only worsen the quality of the flight, but create difficulties after it as an administrative responsibility and even prohibitions on using the services of the airline.

When flying, pay attention to the following points:

You can not use the restroom during takeoff and landing of the aircraft. During these stages of the flight, it is not allowed to get up from the seats, unfasten the belts and walk around the cabin;
the toilet device is not designed for large solid objects, as well as those that, when in contact with water, increase in size and can clog the drain system. Therefore, it is forbidden to throw feminine hygiene products and diapers into the toilet. This is what the urn is for;
on older models, aircraft toilets may have ashtrays. However, smoking in the cabin or restroom is strictly prohibited. Also, do not use any smoke-producing substances. This can cause a fire on board or cause panic when smoke appears in the cabin.

By adhering to the rules of flight, you provide yourself with comfortable and safe movement in the air.

An airplane toilet is always useful on long flights. In modern airliners, sanitary rooms are equipped with comfort and convenience.

Each passenger must understand how this room is arranged and be able to use it correctly so as not to become a victim of an administrative offense

The principle of operation of the toilet on board the airliner is completely different from the traditional latrines familiar to humans. By type, a room for personal hygiene is similar to a dry closet. It has a private sewerage system. In such small latrines, all organic waste during the flight is processed with the help of minerals.

There are also circulating types of sewer systems. All the liquid that is filled into the tanks, after flushing, falls into special treatment facilities, in which it undergoes multi-stage filtration and flows back into a special reservoir.

Such water is intended strictly for sanitary purposes. It does not enter the water main, since the sewerage system is closed.

The toilet on board an airliner is designed for other purposes. They are characterized by the following accessories:

wash basin;
toilet;
water pipes;
sewer outlet;
baby changing table;
trash bin.

New aircraft will be equipped with separate toilet rooms especially for persons with disabilities.

Water supply also has a special highway. Washing water enters the mixer through separate tanks. Compressor installations provide a good head of liquid supply from the tap.

Number of toilet facilities in new aircraft

Many do not know where the toilet is on the plane. All aircraft provide for a different layout, respectively, and the location of the latrines may vary. In the following brands of airliners, toilets are arranged as follows:

The Boeing 747 has 11 toilets. Two rooms are at the beginning and end of the salon, four are provided in the middle. Three more latrines are located on the second deck.
The Boeing 767 has 5 toilets. Two rooms were placed in the economy class, two between the economy class and business class, and one more restroom is located in the business class.
Tu 154, Yak 42, 40, A-320 have three latrines. They are evenly spaced throughout the cabin of the domestic Airbus.

An example of the location of the toilet rooms in the Boeing 747-400

All other variants of aircraft models have toilets located at the end of each cabin.

Prohibited activities in the restroom on board an aircraft

Subject to all the above requirements, the passenger will never be the initiator of a conflict with the staff or people in the cabin.

Aircraft restroom safety

To enter the toilet you need to follow the rules of etiquette and safety requirements. For example, it is unacceptable to pull the handle and try to push the toilet door in if it has a red stripe on it. In this case, the restroom is busy. A green stripe on the toilet handle indicates that the room is free.

The toilet lock on the plane is always in working order, the flight attendants monitor this.

Pay attention to the signs above the toilet room, they are present in almost all aircraft

It is forbidden to throw large objects into dry closets (the so-called toilets): toys, leftover food and other accessories. During the flight - this can cause a failure of the sewer system.

Aircraft toilet basics

If the passenger is attentive, he will notice that in front of each device, as well as on the toilet door, there are special graphic instructions that will help determine what can be done in the sanitary room and where to turn the valves during their operation. The shutters are closed with special locking devices.

Sample toilet with pictorial instructions

It is forbidden to create queues near the toilet door, therefore, without exception, it is recommended that everyone visit the bathroom 20-25 minutes before or after meals. Flight attendants warn about this. It is better to wait until people disperse, because paid toilets on the plane, in which almost always free, are only in the project.

Ways to clean toilets on airplanes

Some Boeing 800 aircraft have their own cleaning system, which involves the processing of waste with chemical components. The remains of sewage are removed from the sewer manhole immediately at the time of landing.

Consider how the toilet on an airplane works. In some models, all waste is sucked into the tank by a strong air stream. This is accompanied by noise that will be heard on board for several minutes. Other aircraft involve flushing into special tanks along with water from the reserve tank.

See the video for what happens when the toilet is flushed and where the waste from the plane goes.

After landing, the toilet of the aircraft is serviced by a special sewage machine, now you can’t go into it. Until the remnants of unprocessed feces are cleaned out. After that, all waste is taken to the landfill, the machine is washed with strong pressure with chemical reagents. The used water is drained and new water is filled into the tanks, then placed in the appropriate compartment of the airbus.

I remember when I was little, flying every summer from Vladivostok to Irkutsk to visit relatives for the summer, I was interested in the question of how poop falls on people's heads? I asked my mother, she answered, they say, they are high, in the air they fall apart, they do not reach.

And here I am reading on this topic today.

What happens to excrement after flushing it on an airplane?

In suburban New York last Thursday, toilet waste fell from an overhead plane. The black-and-green liquid was first identified as oil, but the police officer called on the spot disagreed, saying, "Yes, it looks like there was an incident.... Some toilet excrement leaked out."

Toilets in Airliners are used as a "closed waste system" that works in the same way as a public toilet at home and dumps wastewater into an onboard sewage tank, or more modern "vacuum waste systems" that pump wastewater into a tank. While in the air, the latter works on the difference between the air pressure outside the aircraft and inside the cabin, and also produces a roaring vacuum when the passenger activates the drain. (The noise of the drain makes it look like the waste is being flushed into the atmosphere, but it isn't.) Under normal circumstances, the ground crew will empty the toilet waste after the plane lands. Even if the pilot and flight attendants wanted to empty the tank on the move, they couldn't, since the valve is located on the outer plane and can only be opened on the ground.

Waste can seep out of the tanks if the aircraft is out of order. This happens when there are leaks in the sewage tank, drain pipes. Experts call "blue ice" what happens when the blue liquid waste from an aircraft lavatory is frozen at high altitude. Blue ice usually collects and stays outside the aircraft, but sometimes breaks off before landing. Blue ice often melts and evaporates before reaching the ground. That's not always the case, though: in England, a couple were enjoying good weather in their garden when remnants of blue ice hit the roof of their house, split and landed on their heads. The husband said the ice had "a particularly pungent odor of urine" as it began to melt. (The black-green, oily substance that fell in suburban New York doesn't match the general description of blue ice.)
Waste leakage is a major air safety issue. And the Federal Aviation Administration says some of the falling blue waste may be nothing more than colored droppings from migratory birds that have eaten the blue-colored fruit.

The topic of in-flight urination has been a subject of curiosity since the advent of airplanes. After completing his famous transatlantic flight to Paris, Charles Lindbergh received an audience with King George V of England. According to the memoirs from the meeting, the king leaned over and asked: “There is one thing that I want to know for a long time. How did you write?” (10 hours he flew ). Lindbergh explained that he connected a funnel to his chair and directed his waste into an aluminum container. And the container, he said, "I emptied it when I was flying over France."

Some other vehicles intentionally dump waste while sailing. Cruise ships, which can be thought of as small towns on the sea, regularly dump thousands of gallons of waste a day.

I remembered how in 1987, as a student of the Oriental Faculty of the Far Eastern University, I was in practice on the ship "Ushakov". We approached Singapore to load cardboard containers and our captain turned off the washout into the sea, because. was previously fined $50,000 for dumping waste at the port.
So on the ship for 3 days (while we were loading) there was an unbearable stench. I remember when the pilot came on board to take us to the port, I was on the bridge on watch at the helm and answered his question where such a dukhan comes from.
Until the 1990s, it was common for American trains to flush waste onto the tracks simply by asking passengers not to use the station's toilets, and this is still common in some parts of the world. Now they store waste in the side tank of the train.
Aboard the International Space Stations, astronauts' solid waste is tightly packed and blasted toward Earth in an unmanned voyage. (It burns up when it enters the atmosphere).

How to use the toilet on an airplane

It is very important to follow the rules of operation in order to prevent damage. Indeed, in the air, at high altitude, it will be quite difficult to fix the toilet, and a malfunction of one element can lead to the failure of the entire sanitary system on board.

Therefore, you should follow certain rules:

If you are flying for the first time and do not know simple things, how the door opens, or how it closes from the inside, or you are concerned about any other issues of this plan, it is better to immediately check with the flight attendants. They will gladly help you and teach you everything.
Don't get up early. During takeoff, climb, during turbulence and during landing, it is recommended to sit fastened in your seat. Therefore, at these moments it is better not to visit the toilet. And if such a situation took you by surprise, you should quickly leave the sanitary room and return to your place. Flight attendants always announce when you can use the toilets and leave the seat. Listen carefully.
It is very important not to throw various things, even small ones, into the toilet. For example, sanitary pads, tampons, diapers, wipes, etc. They clog the system and disable it. Therefore, urns are always installed for such items. Use them!
Some are worried about the question, if you smoke in the toilet of an airplane, what will happen. Better not to tempt fate and try things like that. Smoking is strictly prohibited on board, even in the sanitary zone. Any amount of smoke will react to the fire safety system, which will cause serious problems.
Please note that if the booth is occupied, then the inscription above the handle indicates this or is highlighted in red. When the toilet is free, the green sign glows. It is very important when entering inside to close the handle so that others do not disturb you.
In order not to get into the queue, it is recommended to use the bathroom 10-15 minutes before the start of serving food or 15-20 minutes after that. Then you won't have to wait too long and you won't interfere with the flight attendants serving meals.
Because most modern airliners have a high-flow flushing system, be sure to close the toilet lid before you press the waste flush button. Fearful passengers think that such a strong noise that appears at the same time means a partial depressurization of the side. In fact, this is only the internal air flow in the system.

Video: airplane toilet.

The toilets on the plane are quite comfortable, so you will not experience any discomfort during the journey. The developers of airliners thought about the convenience of passengers. From your side, it remains only to adhere to the established rules.

What to do in the toilets of the aircraft is prohibited

The very first thing not to do is to use the toilet during takeoff and landing. There is a large pressure drop as the aircraft rapidly climbs or descends, and many experience a feeling of falling or feeling dizzy at this time. It is better to sit this moment on the chair, exhale, and only then, when the flight is stable, go according to your needs.
Although there are ashtrays in some toilets, this does not mean that you can smoke there. They can be fined for this, and indeed, it can cause a negative, which is completely unnecessary in flight. It is better to spend several hours without a cigarette than to create conflict situations in a confined space.
Do not throw solid objects into the toilet, this may damage the water supply or drain, and until the end of the flight, not a single passenger will be able to use the restroom, which may lead to discomfort and unpleasant situations.

Flight attendants will advise you on any issues.

In addition, many passengers travel with young children who find it difficult to control their needs.

In case of any difficulty, flight attendants will always help passengers. Don't be afraid to ask them questions.

How it works

Many people wonder how the toilet on the plane works. As a rule, these are dry closets, all waste from which is collected in special tanks. The volume of these tanks can be different - from 115 to 270 liters. In order to prevent the unpleasant smell from spreading throughout the cabin, special chemicals are added to this container, which disinfect the water and eliminate stench. Waste cargo is stored in the aircraft throughout the flight. Some people think that after flushing, all impurities are sent to open space, but this is an erroneous opinion. A tank or reservoir that gradually fills up is then removed, removed and disposed of.

Principle of operation

It is obvious that the contents are not washed into the open space at a height. The system itself is designed according to the type of dry closets and has a complex structure. To understand where the waste goes, you need to know the technical features of the device.

So, the whole scheme assumes the presence of tanks of different volumes. Depending on the size of the aircraft, its capacity, the range of flights for which it is designed, the total capacity is also different - from 115 liters to 280 liters on the largest models. Gradually, as the flight progresses, they are filled with waste.

These tanks also contain disinfectants to neutralize surfaces and air. As a result, the unpleasant smell is almost not felt. The principle of draining is different in different models.

In some, it suggests a powerful stream of air coming from below, from which a very strong frightening noise appears. Thus, the waste is sucked into the tank without excessive use of water, which is very economical. But keep in mind that for safety reasons, you need to remember how to flush the toilet on an airplane. To do this, first carefully close the toilet lid and only then press the drain.

In other aircraft, the old type of toilets still remains, when the system is cleaned due to the pressure of water. It is pumped in the required volume before the flight in such an amount that should be enough for the whole flight. Other drain systems may be used on individual airliners, but these two are the most common today.

At the end of the journey at the airport, a special car drives up to the plane, which is connected to the tank on board with a thick corrugated hose. Waste is poured into it, sometimes it is additionally washed with a stream of water in order to remove everything from the walls of the system. Only then this car goes to the pits intended for disposal.

Water in airplanes, what and how

Restroom on the plane

For water there is a certificate of conformity and a control coupon. Believe me, it goes through careful control. The A-320 needs 200 liters of water, and shortly before departure, the car fills it up in the tank. As a rule, refueling occurs to the end, in other words, until the moment when water begins to pour out of the tank through a special drainage hose. The H2O is then distributed to sinks, wash basins and water heaters. Also in this model, a small amount of liquid is diverted to the drain in the toilet. Unlike the A-320, in the Tu-154 aircraft, the water for flushing is separate. Although they try to hide this fact, the water from the sink drains overboard. I washed my face or washed my hands - I let a little water fly into free flight. At the bottom of the fuselage of the aircraft there is a special drain pipe, with the help of which this process is carried out.

Aircraft toilet waste collection bins

On older Tu-154B and Tu-154M models there are three tanks (the front one is the vestibule, the middle of the saloon is the kitchen-buffet, the rear ones are toilets). The tanks are under the ceiling, and the liquid flows there by gravity. This system is quite complex and causes many inconveniences. For example, in these models, the tanks need to be filled separately. In more modern aircraft, liquid directed to the tank is distributed to boilers, sinks, and other points under pressure, which is created in the tank by air compressors.

And now back to the topic of the toilet. It is clear that everything is also wrong with garbage. For example, in the A-320, the waste enters a separate 170-liter tank, but in the Tu-154M, the picture is slightly different.

In the past, airplane bathrooms were terrible.

For a long time, airplane bathrooms were a highly complex system. They used electric pumps to circulate an antiseptic throughout the system, which dissolved solid waste and killed bad odors. This blue liquid is familiar to anyone who has used outdoor toilets.

Air carriers, however, did not favor such systems. First, flights with a lot of liquid on board were more expensive. Secondly, pipes often leaked, and dirty water seeped through the skin of the aircraft. At high altitude, a mixture of water and antiseptic can freeze, forming the so-called blue ice, which, when lowered, can break off and fall to the ground. This poses a certain threat to people and buildings. There are cases when blue ice punched holes in the roofs of houses.

Currently, obsolete drain systems are almost never used in aircraft. However, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), residents of homes adjacent to Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports continue to see blue ice fall. Most complaints occur in autumn. The department claims that no one has yet been injured from the waste from the aircraft. Nevertheless, the threat remains. “The planes built in the 1960s and 1970s are still going strong,” says Miller. Accordingly, the problems associated with their purification systems remain relevant.

Where is

Depending on the type of aircraft, its model and configuration, the number of such rooms varies significantly. But even the smallest of them have at least one or two toilets. In any case, it is unlike the booths we are used to, installed anywhere in public places. It is much smaller, more compact and has a limited number of accessories.

There is usually only a toilet directly with a lid and a special drain system, a small sink with a minimum set of detergents, and a trash can. Some configurations also include a baby changing table. It is attached to the wall and is reclining

But not every aircraft has these, so if its presence is important to you, ask in advance which airliners have them.

airlines-inform.ru

In order not to create large queues and to maximize the comfort of the flight for passengers, many aircraft have several toilets installed at once. This way, you go to the one closest to your seat, don't stand in a long line, and relieve yourself at the right time.

So, in Boeing-737 or in airliners like TU-154, A-320 and others similar in size, there are only three sanitary zones. One of them is located at the entrance to the plane, and the rest are in the tail. On a larger vehicle, for example, in a Boeing 767, there are already five of them. One - at the beginning of the cabin, where the business class is equipped, two - at the end and the same number in the aisle between different comfort zones.

Most of the toilets can be found on huge aircraft such as the Boeing 747. It itself is two-deck and is designed for a large number of passenger seats. Therefore, it is equipped with a sufficient number of sanitary rooms. So, on the upper deck, where the business class is located, there are three of them. At the beginning of the cabin on the lower tier there are two more and at the tail of the aircraft there are also a couple of toilets. Most of these booths are installed in the middle - in the amount of four pieces.

But, for example, in old Soviet airliners, especially those intended for military purposes, there is no special room for pilots. They had individual urinals for such cases, which were hermetically sealed. A more serious need had to endure before landing. But such options are already outdated and usually small toilet cubicles or sanitary tanks are installed on military aircraft, depending on the model.

Long live scented soap

Thank goodness soap isn't available on board yet for a fee, so make the most of it. The more soap that comes into contact with the air, the better the smell inside the cubicle and the cleaner your hands will be. A simple algorithm works: as soon as you are done, get up and wash your hands. Then flush. Wash your hands again. You remove all evidence of your presence in the restroom, and then - you guessed it - wash your hands a third time. All. As if you and your waste products have never passed by. For the especially enlightened: before washing off the soap from your hands, make a few smooth movements in the air, as if scattering flowers to devoted spectators, imagine that you are doing ancient Chinese gymnastics.

Military aircraft

In different countries, when creating military aircraft, they thought out systems for the removal of solid and liquid waste in their own way. In the USSR and the Russian Federation, as a rule, there are no toilets in military aircraft. Little by little, each crew member can go to their own urinal, which is hermetically sealed. In the event that the pilot needs to go big, he has a choice: either the failure of the mission with the ensuing consequences, or the shame on the entire squadron. Military transport aircraft are equipped with conventional buckets with a lid or plastic bottles of 1.5 liters.

In this video you can see how the sanitary block is serviced on the plane.

Confident eye contact

In the animal world, eye contact is the key to dominance. Air travel in this regard is no different from a cage with baboons in the Moscow Zoo. If you've just marked your territory, make direct eye contact with the next in line as soon as you exit, as if to indicate that you, too, are extremely annoyed by that creepy stinker who had the misfortune to visit the bathroom before you. Direct face-to-face contact seems to say: “Yes, there is a little smell. But you don't know it was me. And even if it was me, so what? I am the king of this air jungle." Just don't say it out loud, let your eyes speak for you.

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How is the toilet on the plane

Airplane toilet

It is not worth worrying about the fact that the waste from the aircraft is emitted as it is on the train. On board the aircraft there are special tanks where the toilet flushes. For example, the Tu-154 has tanks for the front toilet with a volume of 115 liters and for the second - for 280 liters, while the A-320 has only one tank for 170 liters.

Airplane toilet cleaning

In different aircraft there are differences in the principles of the toilets:

In the A-320, the flush water comes from the aircraft's water supply. With the help of vacuum, the waste is poured into a special tank.
And in such aircraft as the Boeing-737 and Tu-154, the sewerage system is closed and recirculating. Water is taken from a special tank, which is filled immediately before the flight. When the waste is washed off, the filter does not release large particles, and the liquid that has been filtered is sent to a second round. Chemicals are added to the tank to get rid of the smell and disinfect the water. After the aircraft has landed, the waste is drained and removed.

Airplane toilet

As you can see, the principle of operation of the toilet in airplanes differs from the toilets we are used to, which, for example, you can see in the online store

The principle of operation of the toilet in the aircraft

Many are interested in how the toilet works in the liner. After all, it makes noise, water and all contents are quickly absorbed, and there are practically no drops of liquid left on the surface. All contents in some aircraft go into a special tank. Human waste goes into it under the action of vacuum and pressure - because of this, noise is heard when the flush pedal is pressed. Then everything is stored in tanks until the end of the trip, securely and hermetically sealed so that there is no annoying smell on the plane. The flush manifold is located under the rim of the toilet.

In a number of liners, tanks have filters that do not allow large particles to pass through. Special chemicals are added to the water to help dissolve organic matter and prevent odors.

There are planes where dry closets are used. Today, most of the modern liners are equipped with just such. On the Airbus A320, the tanks are designed for 170 liters, on the Tu-154 they can use 2 tanks - for 115 and 280 liters.

Some aircraft may use other closed systems. The liquid in these can be filtered and reused. Naturally, it also undergoes the necessary disinfection so that no diseases spread.

Terms of use

If you are flying for the first time and still do not know how the toilet works on an airplane, do not hesitate to ask the flight attendants about it. They will tell you how to use the toilet at height:

The door is opened by pressing the handle located directly below the sign with the inscription Lavatory.
If the toilet is already occupied by someone, the inscription is highlighted in red. If free and available - green.
How is the toilet on the plane? A little different from what we are used to. Therefore, you can visit it only during the flight after the gained altitude. It is strictly forbidden to use it during takeoff and landing. Also, when advised to take their seats, for example in case of turbulence, the toilet should be left immediately.
It is recommended to visit the restrooms on airplanes 10 minutes before eating and drinking or 15 minutes after eating.
It is forbidden to throw paper, pads and other hygiene products into the toilet itself. For this, special bins are installed in each toilet.
Some latrines are equipped with a special reclining changing board for small children. Which toilets on planes have it, check with the flight attendant, especially if you are traveling with a small child.
Since the flushing of waste occurs with a directed powerful jet of air, before this procedure it is necessary to check whether the toilet lid is lowered.
It is forbidden to smoke in the toilet, as there is a special fire alarm that goes off even with the slightest smoke.

How to use the toilet

The first thing that is forbidden to do in this room is smoking. The smoke will trigger the fire alarm system. Passengers will start to worry, panic will form. Do not neglect this prohibition. Its violation will entail administrative liability.

The sanitary room is equipped with a special handle with a color designation. If it is pushed back and there is a red stripe on it, this means that the toilet is occupied. If there is a green stripe on the handle, the restroom is free.

Airplane toilet

You can use the sanitary room only during the flight. It is better to visit her 10 minutes before the distribution of food and 15 minutes after that. Then a queue forms near this room. This causes discomfort to passengers who sit in the rows near the toilet.

Important! It is forbidden to use the restroom during takeoff and landing. At this point, all passengers must be in their seats and be wearing seat belts.

The sink is equipped with a button. It must be pressed to flush the water.

Flushing waste can only be done with the toilet lid closed. Otherwise the vacuum system will not work. Dispose of solid waste (diapers, sanitary napkins, etc.) only in the bin. They swell when they enter the aircraft sewer system. This will disrupt the toilet. Passengers must be careful not to leave debris or puddles behind. Such behavior is unacceptable on board as it may cause displeasure to other passengers.

Everything in its turn

Finding the right time to visit the onboard toilet is akin to high art. Too early and the whole plane will know who farted the cockpit. Too late - and you will have to be unpleasantly surprised.

The best time to visit is as soon as the flight attendants roll out the drinks cart. Most passengers will sit quietly so as not to get stuck behind it, so there are no lines expected, and it is unlikely that someone will be waiting for you at the door at the end.

If this opportunity has already been missed, go at the moment when a small (keyword - small) queue accumulates at the toilet. So it will be more difficult to establish who exactly ruined the evening for everyone.