We know how cold New Jersey winters can get and how important the deicing of aircraft is for safety reasons, whether large private jets, helicopters, or piston aircraft. Deicing is just one of many FBO services we offer clients at Monmouth Jet Center, Monmouth Executive Airport. Other 24-hour services include refueling, GPU, on-field aircraft maintenance, catering, and concierge services for passengers and operators.
We are your gateway to the greater New Jersey and New York area and want you to get home safely, whatever the weather. In this article, we discuss deicing, how it works, and the difference between deicing and anti-icing of aircraft. We also answer frequently asked questions about aircraft deicing.
What Is Deicing and Why Is It Needed?
Winter flying is challenging due to the cold, ice, snow, and wind. Deicing aircraft is a critical winter maintenance process that removes ice, snow, or frost from an aircraft’s surface. Why is it needed? Snow and ice change the shape of an airplane’s wings, disrupt airflow, and can interfere with safe takeoff.
Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.527 (a), as prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), states: “No pilot may take off an airplane that has frost, ice, or snow adhering to any propeller, windshield, stabilizing or control surface; to a powerplant installation; or to an airspeed, altimeter, rate of climb, or flight attitude instrument system or wing, except that takeoffs may be made with frost under the wing in the area of the fuel tanks if authorized by the FAA.”
How Does Aircraft Deicing Work?
Deicing planes can be done manually or via in-flight deicing systems. Manual deicing is ideal for smaller aircraft or when fluid is unavailable. Brushes, brooms, propeller and wing covers, or air blowers, are used to scrape or push ice from the airplane. Aircraft, such as modern jets, are equipped with in-flight systems that prevent icy build-up while in flight.
Bleed air systems disperse heat from the engine throughout the plane to keep surfaces heated, while deicing boots are inflated during flight to break ice building up on the aircraft’s structure. Deicing boots are balloons or rubber coverings generally placed on fan blades, wings, tails, propellers, and engines.
Anti-Ice vs De-Ice: Key Difference
How does one prevent the ice from forming again after deicing the aircraft? Anti-icing is the next step. While deicing removes existing ice, anti-icing prevents precipitation from adhering to the airplane in the time between deicing and takeoff. The FAA provides an annual, approved set of guidelines for deicing and anti-icing aircraft before takeoff, including holdover timetables, training, and procedures for deicing and anti-icing.
Four standard aircraft deicing and anti-icing fluid types are available: Type I, II, III, and IV. These fluids are a mixture of glycol and water of various viscosities. Type II and IV, for example, have added thickening agents that allow the fluid to remain on the aircraft longer to absorb and melt any freezing precipitation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aircraft Deicing
Must the deicing fluid always be hot?
Applying hot deicing fluid in a narrow spray pattern is the best practice. The heat and the spray’s hydraulic force remove the ice.
I am a pilot of a single-engine aircraft. What can I use to de-ice my plane?
You can use deicing fluid, hot air, brooms, or squeegees, depending on your circumstances. If you use deicing fluid, check that it’s approved for your aircraft.
Sustainability is important to our shareholders. What are the national guidelines around airfield pavement deicing wastewater?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated the Airport Deicing Effluent Guidelines in 2012, which generally focuses on commercial airports. Monmouth Jet Center attempts to be as sustainable as possible in all our activities.
Monmouth Executive Airport is a privately owned, public-use airport in New Jersey, only a 20-minute helicopter ride or a one-hour drive from the center of Manhattan. Contact us today for more information on our airport and FBO services, including the deicing of aircraft.