Ever seen a pilot with a beard?
The answer to the above question – which, granted, you probably haven’t thought about much – is likely to be a no.
This isn’t because aviation lovers have an aversion to facial hair, as there is in fact a very good reason why pilots sport a naked chin.
Whilst it isn’t always an official rule – for example British Airways says male pilots must simply have facial hair that “meets a conventional style which is appropriate for a professional environment” – some airlines do have policies requiring pilots to have no beards or minimal beards for safety reasons, according to Thrillist.
Flight safety is of course of paramount importance in the aviation industry, and every measure is taken to ensure risks are minimised.
It turns out, beards can actually the safety of pilots in the instance of an emergency.
According to Wayman Aviation Academy, facial hair can be an issue if pilots need to put on oxygen masks.
They explained: “In emergency situations, pilots must don oxygen masks quickly and efficiently. Facial hair can disrupt the tight seal necessary between the mask and the face, potentially compromising the flow of oxygen.
“This is critical at high altitudes where oxygen levels are low. Ensuring a proper seal can be the difference between life and death, making the clean-shaven rule a non-negotiable aspect of airline safety protocols.”
A safety review in 1987 found that facial hair can impact the efficacy of oxygen masks.
It stated: “The data resulting from these tests indicated that decrement in performance does occur when facial hair is present along the sealing surface of crew oxygen masks.
“This decrement is proportional to the amount of facial hair present, the type mask worn, the suspension system associated with the mask, and the exercise level to which the individual is subjected.”
