What is de icing? How is it performed and why should de icing be done?
Have you ever witnessed a particular process that results in a plane being covered with a strange substance? [...]
Have you ever witnessed a peculiar process that results in an airplane being covered with a strange substance? Have you ever wondered what was going on? You are there, forced to wait a while before you can board, unaware that this is happening for your safety. Just as much as passengers, airplanes hate ice, and this process, known as de icing, is used to eliminate its presence on wing surfaces. Impossible to take flight safely if there are icy layers. Such a situation could pose a significant danger to the conduct of flight. On more than one occasion, in fact, ice has caused fatal accidents.
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Why ice is dangerous
De icing is a key operation at certain airports (but all must be prepared to carry out the process, even those in mild or warm climates). The layers of ice on the wings, in fact, change its shape. The aerodynamics of the aircraft are modified. Going down to the specifics, de icing helps unlock the flaps (moving parts of the wing), allowing for proper mechanical movement.
While the wings are probably the most affected area, ice can also affect the proper functioning of other areas, including the front of the engines. This is the area from which the thrusters receive the air needed for operation. In the case of ice, the inlet area and thus the air captured is reduced. In addition to the deterioration in thruster performance, this icy layer generally increases the aircraft's drag.
How de icing is performed
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Depending on the temperatures endured and thus the spread of ice layers on the surface of the aircraft, de icing operation can during 10 to 15 minutes. Special means must be used to complete it, which encircles the aircraft in a specific area of the airstrip.
As mentioned, a strange substance is sprayed to melt the ice "clinging" to the aircraft. It is a mixture of water and antifreeze liquid. A definite pattern of action is followed, reaching a required temperature of 62-63 degrees. Four vehicles have to get to work at the same time. It goes without saying that airports subject to colder temperatures must boast a large number of assigned vehicles. Considerably fewer, on the other hand, those in places with milder climates. It is possible to better understand the organizational difference by comparing such airports as Frankfurt and Fiumicino. In the first case the means are as many as 58. In the second just 4, the minimum required.
Ice in flight
If ice is so dangerous for aircraft, what happens when icy layers adhere to the aircraft while it is operating? In such cases, pneumatic systems are taken advantage of. This refers to sheaths that inflate ad hoc, at the pilot's command, breaking up the ice that has formed.
This is not the only means available, however. Room also exists for some inner tubes, which, by inflating, achieve the desired release. Finally, it is possible to heat the wings, as well as other surfaces of the aircraft, by piping hot gases into the engines or by exploiting electrical resistance.
