De-icing

Category: aviation

The process of removing ice, snow, or frost from an aircraft’s surfaces prior to takeoff.

Ice is the "aerodynamic enemy." It ruins the airflow over the wings, which can cause the plane to stall immediately. De-icing involves spraying specialized, heated chemical fluids onto the wings and fuselage before the plane clears the ramp.

Common Examples

• The ground crew performed an urgent de-icing spray to clear the frost from the control surfaces before we were cleared for takeoff.
• De-icing is a mandatory, safety-critical procedure that can add significant time to your departure schedule during winter operations.