Aviation A2Z FORT WORTH- In the chilly and snowy winter season, deicing plays a vital role in American Airlines (AA) operations. You may be curious about the methods employed by the airline to remove snow and ice from numerous aircraft, ensuring customers’ safe and timely arrival at their destinations.
AA interviewed Gene Herrick, American’s Manager of Deicing at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), to shed light on this process.
Photo: American Airlines
American Airlines Deicing
Here’s his insight:
Photo: American Airlines
How does the deicing process for aircraft operate, and when is it required?
Gene: Deicing plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe operation of our aircraft, especially during winter weather, and becomes even more significant in El Niño winters like the current one, characterized by wetter conditions across parts of the United States.
Deicing is typically deemed necessary when temperatures reach or fall below freezing, accompanied by precipitation or frost.
The application of deicing fluid on the wings or other aircraft surfaces is a key aspect of this process. It reduces drag and aids in the aircraft’s lift during takeoff. In essence, deicing is essential for optimizing the aircraft’s performance.
It’s both an art and a science. American, like all airlines, adheres to deicing guidelines established by regulatory bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Canada (TC), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
What transpires during the deicing procedure, and what is the typical duration?
Gene: Our team is dedicated to executing the deicing process swiftly and safely to ensure the smooth movement of our customers and crews during winter weather. Specifically, here at ORD, our objective is to finalize the procedure in nine minutes or less.
Depending on the location, each aircraft undergoes fluid spraying either at its gate or on a centralized deicing pad after departing. American team members or other airport personnel then apply deicing or anti-icing fluid, assisting the aircraft in navigating through the cold temperatures.
For passengers aboard an aircraft undergoing deicing, the visible elements might include trucks outside and the presence of fluid on the windows. Still, otherwise, there is no impact on the passengers. Simply sit back, relax, and await takeoff!
Photo: American Airlines
What distinguishes deicing from anti-icing?
Gene: In brief, anti-icing is a preventive measure, while deicing is implemented when an aircraft is already affected by snow, ice, or other precipitation. We employ two distinct fluids, and the color may vary depending on whether it’s a deicing or anti-icing operation.
Deicing fluid, which is orange, is heated to 140 degrees to eliminate frost, snow, and ice from the aircraft and its crucial surfaces.
On the other hand, anti-icing fluid, depicted in green, prevents ice from penetrating and adhering to critical and lifting surfaces, such as the wings. Glycol serves as the primary ingredient in both fluids.
What’s innovative this winter? How is American enhancing the process?
Gene: Our focus begins with training our team, renowned as the best in the business. While this is an annual practice, we’ve incorporated additional training to ensure our team is well-prepared for any challenges Mother Nature presents.
We’re consistently investing in facility improvements and integrating new technology to enhance our deicing operations. This includes implementing electronic spray records and tracking tools that provide real-time visibility and insights into our airport resources, including deicing trucks.
Photo: American Airlines
Which destination is American’s largest and busiest for deicing?
Gene: My hometown airport, ORD, stands as our largest deicing location and is among the world’s busiest for aircraft deicing operations. It’s truly an impressive operation! At ORD, we deice aircraft approximately 6,000 to 10,000 times per season on average (depending on winter severity), utilizing around 500,000 gallons of glycol.
Is deicing limited to colder locations?
Gene: Not necessarily. Surprisingly, even warmer regions experience occasional freezing precipitation that necessitates deicing. We observe this at our major hub in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and in locations like Las Vegas (LAS), Santa Barbara, California (SBA), and Savannah, Georgia (SAV). We’re well-prepared, regardless of the location!
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The post American Airlines Experts Share the Deicing Methods appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
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