Aircraft Deicing Procedures & Winter Operations: Protect Your Aircraft in Inclement Weather

When temperatures drop around an airport, it's usually the signal that the inclement weather season is almost here. Ice, snow or frost commonly collect on an aircraft's surface throughout the cold winter months, and because airplanes must have clean surfaces to fly safely, winter byproducts can become a real problem if not addressed swiftly. Ice and snow can cause issues with takeoff, disrupting airflow and causing general safety concerns for crews and passengers. That's why during the colder months, aircraft deicing is crucial to the continued safety of staff and passengers.

Without a proper action plan, aircraft and airfields can become heavily compromised in icy winter weather. Aircraft deicing procedures are more than the actual act of deicing a plane – there are plenty of steps airlines must take to make sure the flightline is safe. This includes checking aircraft tire pressure, flightline snow removal and taking precautionary measures to protect certain aircraft parts. When mother nature transforms your flightline into a winter wonderland, be sure to keep the following procedures in mind to keep aircraft, crews and passengers safe for their travels.

Please Note: This list of aircraft deicing procedures is in no way a fully comprehensive list of tasks – you should always consult the airplane manufacturer for exact instructions for winter operations and procedures.

What Is the Purpose of Aircraft Deicing Procedures?

All airplanes are designed to fly clean from extraneous materials on the fuselage, wings and lifting surfaces. Snow, slush and ice are some of the most common safety hazards that can dramatically reduce aircraft performance, hence the need to deice airplanes before takeoff. A thin sheet of ice on the wings (similar in thickness to sandpaper) can reduce wing life by as much as 30 percent and increase drag resistance by 40 percent.

Deicing a plane is the only way aircraft can continue to fly in the winter months. The following procedures for keeping airlines running in winter are critical to year-round operational success.

1. Inspect Aircraft Deicing Equipment

While plane deicer equipment inspections should be a part of your daily operations in the winter months, it becomes especially vital when inclement weather is on the horizon. Aircraft deicing equipment must be thoroughly inspected, fueled up and outfitted with deicing fluid at the start of each shift. Potential hazards need to be identified, eliminated, controlled and documented to minimize risk. You should also check that all oil levels are adequate and that there isn't any visible damage.

2. Use the Right Type of Aircraft Oil?

Not only will you need to inspect the oil levels of your deicing equipment and the aircraft – but you'll also need to ensure you're using the right kind of oil. Oils that work well during the summer months could turn damaging when the cold of winter begins to hit. Special winter weight oil is the best option to ensure engine health.

If you live in an area where the winters are particularly harsh, you may need a lower viscosity product to circulate the lubricant within the engine. Be sure to check your manufacturer's manual recommendations for proper lubrication.

3. Check the Aircraft Tire Pressure

As we all know, tire pressure typically drops in extreme temperatures – making tire pressure checks a necessary part of your aircraft deicing procedures. Aircraft tires become harder the colder the temperature and will lose their usual fullness and gripping power.

For every 10-degree temperature drop, tires tend to drop about 1-2 PSI per tire. In particularly frigid temperatures, you'll need to reduce the air pressure in pneumatic tires from 60 PSI to as low as 25 PSI. Once the temperatures warm up a bit, be sure to restore the tire pressure to 60 PSI.

4. Begin Deicing the Aircraft

Now we get to the essential part of any airline's aircraft deicing procedures; deicing the aircraft. When crews learn how to deice a plane, they're taught to focus on removing snow, slush and ice from the fuselage, wings and control surfaces using deicing fluid sprayed from aircraft deicing equipment. But what is deicing fluid made from?

The fluid used in deicing procedures is propylene glycol, heated to around 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit. When deicing aircraft, this fluid is sprayed under extremely high pressure at such temperatures to blast off any contaminants sticking to the plane. Aircraft deicing fluid is called Type I and can be mixed with water depending on the inclement weather conditions. Plane deicer equipment is equipped with sensors that measure the external conditions and automate the ratio of water to Type I fluid.

Note: It is ultimately the decision of the captain whether or not the flight will depart after the airplane deicing has finished.

Anti-Icing (When Needed)

In severe cases of cold weather and heavier snow/ice conditions, anti-icing is also deployed after deicing the aircraft. Anti-icing fluid is used to prevent precipitation or expected frost from adhering to the aircraft's deiced surface. The fluid is called Type IV and is more viscous than Type I aircraft deicing fluid to stay adhered to the surface for a more extended period of time. Unlike Type I, anti-icing fluid is not diluted with water.

The Best Equipment To Deice Airplanes

Aircraft deicing systems must be reliable and durable to ensure aircraft are protected from heavy inclement weather. Aircraft deicing equipment is available in different sizes depending on the type of aircraft you're flying. For smaller, personal aircraft, look to portable deicing equipment. Other larger trucks exist for the biggest commercial jetliners, but mobile place deicer carts are also available for most aircraft.

5. Create A Snow Removal Plan

It's essential that you consistently stay updated with the weather leading up to any winter storms. Create a snow removal team and plan to clear your airport in the upcoming days leading up to a spike in bad weather. This will allow your crew to clear the airport of snow quickly and safely to keep operations running smoothly. Things to consider for your snow clearing protocol include, but are not limited to:

Using a fleet of snow plow tractors
Installing snow chains or siping the tires of your aircraft tugs
Using a plane deicer to rid your aircraft of ice

You might not be able to control the weather and prevent snow from happening, but you can certainly prepare for it.

Tips To Remember When Deicing a Plane for Takeoff

While aircraft deicing procedures are not extensive or extremely challenging, they are critically important to the safety of the crew and passengers. Here are just a few things to keep in mind when it comes to procedures for deicing a plane:

All ground crew involved in aircraft inspection for contaminants and the application of aircraft deicing fluids must receive initial and recurrent training on the subject.
Effective quality control must be in place to ensure proper delivery procedures for the deicing fluid – if you run out of anti-ice fluid, you'll have to ground your entire fleet.
There is a standard aircraft deicing code that must be used at all times to properly communicate and record the details of the aircraft's deicing treatment.

Prepare for Winter Weather & Future Aircraft Deicing Procedures with Tronair

At Tronair, we understand the importance of safety when dealing with aircraft in inclement weather. It's why we've created an entire line of top-rated aircraft deicing equipment, so we can keep your operations running smoothly throughout the whole year. Explore our diverse selection of equipment to find the right solution for your needs. If you have any questions or need more information regarding our aircraft deicing equipment, feel free to contact us today. Our dedicated team of Tronair experts are always standing by and ready to assist.

Shop Aircraft Deicing Equipment