Aircraft Deicing – The Number 1 Cause of Flying Anxiety For the Winter Flyer
Aircraft de-icing is normally a huge cause for concern for the passenger with flying anxiety as they normally associate aircraft deicing with bad weather and aircraft accidents. Accidents or loss of control and possible loss of life is one of the number one causes of fear of flying.
A search of Wikipedia reveals that only one U.S. aircraft has crashed in the last 10 years as a result of ice and it was a Bombardier Dash 8. The reason so few of accidents occur as a result of aircraft ice is the result of major efforts on behalf of the aircraft manufacturers, airlines and the FAA to understand airframe ice and how to remove and avoid it.
Generally ice is only a concern for takeoff and landing when maximum performance is required from engines and the highest amounts of lift are required by the wing. I will explain each phase of flight individually.
For takeoff it is necessary to have the wings clear of ice or anything that will adhere to the wing and cause a reduction in lift or alter the aerodynamics of the wing. Any disruption in airflow can cause the wing to stall and loose lift. Any icing of the engines or the engine nacelles can cause the engines to not produce the required amount of thrust or worst case shed a chunk of ice and cause catastrophic engine failure on takeoff.
There are a few different types of deicing fluid used for takeoff. The type used is dependent on the type of precipitation that is occurring if any. Generally if precipitation is still occurring type IV deicing fluid is required as it has characteristics that do not allow precipitation to adhere to the wing. If precipitation has ended and is not anticipated to occur prior to takeoff type I deicing fluid is generally used to deice the wing and tail. FAA rules prohibit the takeoff of any aircraft with any type of ice, snow or frost adhering to the wing.
If deicing procedures are in effect and the precipitation is still occurring a deicing location is generally used close to the end of the runway that will be used for takeoff. This is so the aircraft will not exceed the holdover time. The holdover time is a table that looks at the type of precipitation that is occurring and the temperature and gives a value in minutes in which the takeoff must occur. Failure of the takeoff to occur within this time frame requires either another deicing or a visual inspection by the pilot to verify that there is no precipitation adhering to the wing. If it is determined that precipitation is adhering to the wing another deicing is required.
Prior to takeoff in icing conditions it is generally required for the engines to be run up for a time determined by the weather conditions to deice the engines and verify they are capable of providing takeoff power.
On approaches and landings aircraft are required to operate their wing and engine deicing systems per the airplane manufacturers guidelines and the airlines procedures. Commercial jet powered aircraft can operate in all icing conditions except severe.
Aircraft manufacturers and airlines have operating in icing conditions down to a science; there is no need for fear or anxiety from passengers.
This article was written by Jeff Aafedt a retired commercial airline Captain and instructor. For more information about aviation and resources for the anxious and fearful flyer visit: http://www.fearofflyingselfhelpcenter.com.