- Pilots sometimes use soda water to clean cockpit windows when bugs and grime affect visibility.
- The mild acidity in soda water helps break down dirt without harming aircraft windshield coatings
- Though not standard procedure, such fixes reflect old-school pilot resourcefulness under time pressure.
Airports are full of curious sights if you look closely enough. Ground crews moving with clockwork precision, aircraft being refuelled in minutes, pilots doing quiet walk‑around checks before takeoff. But every now and then, a moment breaks the routine - something so unexpected that it makes people pull out their phones. Recently, one such moment found its way onto Instagram. The clip shows a pilot calmly pouring what appears to be soda over an airplane's cockpit windows, wiping them down just before departure. No specialised cleaning equipment, no visible urgency - just fizz cleaning glass. The curiosity led pilot Joi Schweitzer to explain in a now‑viral video what it actually means and if it is allowed for the aviation professionals.
Watch the full video below:
So, Is That Really Soda Being Used?
According to Schweitzer, the first assumption most people make is also the wrong one. “Believe it or not, it actually works,” she says in the video, before clarifying that what's being used is soda water, not sugary soft drinks. “What this pilot is using is probably soda water, and not soda. So there is no sugar or stickiness in soda water.” That distinction matters more than it seems at first glance.
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Why Soda Water Works On Airplane Windows
Soda water contains a mild form of natural acidity called carbonic acid. “Soda water has a tiny bit of natural acidity called carbonic acid, and that acid helps break down dirt, bugs, grime, and probably even a little bit of bird poop,” Schweitzer explains.
Crucially, she adds, it does all this without harming the aircraft. “It won't damage the windshield coating,” she notes - an important reassurance when dealing with highly sensitive cockpit glass.
Is This A Standard Aviation Procedure?
The short answer is no. “Is this standard procedure? No, it's not,” Schweitzer says plainly. Pilots are not officially trained to clean windshields with soda water, and it's not part of any formal checklist. But aviation, like many professions, still leaves room for experienced judgment.
So Why Do Pilots Do It Anyway?
The answer lies in timing. “When you call for a bug wash and you gotta get that airplane pushed back and there isn't enough time, this is old school pilot resourcefulness,” Schweitzer explains.
Visibility from the cockpit is non‑negotiable, especially before takeoff. And when schedules are tight and ground services can't arrive quickly enough, pilots sometimes turn to practical, proven fixes.
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“So sometimes you have to keep visibility clear,” she adds.
So, if you ever see a pilot cleaning their window with this unusual hack, you know what it is for!
