De-icing in the winter for long flights?

Question

For non-stop long haul flights in Northern winter climates (i.e. 8 hours from Canada to Scotland), how do they keep the wings free of ice build up? Does de-icing really keep them ice free for the entire flight?

Is it more "dangerous" to fly in the dead of winter in these conditions?

(I will be flying in a commercial airliner jet, not sure exactly which plane type, but probably a 737 or 747).

Answer 1

I can't tell you about de-icing in the air but when they are o nthe ground they use a deicing agent called glycol.

Answer 2

At the altitude airliners cruise, the temperature is already averaging around -55 C (-67 F). A very hot day would still be -40 at 35000 ft. That is essentially valid at noon. In summer. Over the equator.
Why don't airplane get covered in ice? Because it is also very dry up there.
The de-icing process is meant to tackle the ice that can build up from precipitation on the ground, for the most critical phase of flight: the take-off. Once airborne, the anti-icing system of the airplane is needed while in lower altitude, and when still subjected to rain, snow, or when crossing clouds (where humidity is high). Airplane are quipped with ice detectors, and if conditions would change and require anti-icing, the crew would be notified.
So you have nothing to worry; the cruise is the safest part of the flight, so how long the cruise is does not have much of an impact as far as icing is concerned.
Oh, and by the way, the 737 is not usually meant to fly long haul from Canada to Scottland; the 737-700ER is capable of doing this, but since the first airplane of this type was only delivered in February of 2007, I doubt it is already a popular choice. Boeing airplanes that are meant to fly transatlantic routes and are certified accordingly would be 767, 747 and 777.

Answer 3

For what you are asking, airlines in long haul flights, only one answer above is correct where he refers to hot bleed air from the compressor section of the engines being used to keep the engine nacelle and leading edges of the wings warm. However, this is only required when flying in freezing temperatures in visible moisture. Most oceanic flying is done at altitudes above the weather so ant ice is rarely necessary in cruise. Also, believe it or not, it can be too cold for ice to form. Below minus forty degrees Celsius ant icing even in the clouds is not necessary. And it certainly is not strictly forbidden to fly in known icing conditions as Wyliey Coyote so wrongly states. Wyliey my man, that's why we have anti icing in the first place. So we can fly in known icing conditions without icing up. Jeez.

Answer 4

There are a few ways de-icing is done. On smalller a/c they may have a boot, which will inflate on the leading edge causing the ice to break and fall off. They may also use a TKS system, this is where fluid is weeped out to the wing for the same purpose... get rid of ice. They may also use heat, and on most of the larger aircraft, they simply make it hot. They also will have an ice detector, which is a strange looking device that sticks out the side of the a/c (very small.. they are usually about a dime in diameter and stick out about .5:) this is used to detect ice build up. But regardless, yes these systems all work, and I would not be too worried.

It does not matter what time of year you fly, at 40K feet it is -54 degrees f, and oh yes there is moisture up there.
But we have been using these systems for a long time, and are quite good at them. You will be fine on your flight.

Answer 5

Most commercial aircraft are equiped with electric de-icing equipment in the wings. The smaller ones have de-icing boots. Friction often keeps the wings from icing. Icing usually only occurs in the right conditions, and not at all heights. It is also strictly forbidden to fly in known icing conditions. You can feel safe about this flight, have a safe one.

Answer 6

Ground de-icing is intended to provide a clean wing/ clean surcfaces for takeoff. One type de-ices what is already on the wing/airframe (critical surfaces) and another protects for a limited time ("hold-over time") against additional ice formation----if there is freezing precip on the surface. Once airborne, the long haul aircraft you refer to rely on engine bleed air anti-ice systems which are quite effective when needed. Personally, I think convective weather is the worst, not "dead of winter" weather.

Answer 7

Weather only happens at lower altitudes. So on long flight the planes would probably fly above 20K feet (most jets fly at 30K feet). So there no chance of rain or snow forming on wings.

On smaller planes they have a bladder (balloons) in the front part of the wing. They let the ice form up a little and then put air into it and let it crack off. This is all during the flight. There's actually a danger if the pilot does NOT let enough ice build up before cracking it away. It can form a space layer where the bladder can expand but not touch the ice. But this is rare.

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So in the end de-icing is mostly for ground and take off preparation. And you ask if it more dangerous to fly in the winter. Slight more so - but they say it is still safer than driving. I just don't like flying (because I took pilot lessons and I know about all the dangers). Yes I took pilot lessons but I don't like to fly, or at least as a passenger.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

Aircraft are de-iced prior to takeoff. Once airborne , if they expect icing conditions, anti-icing procedures are used. Hot bleed air from the engines is used in the leading edges of the wings and inlet cowlings for the engines. It prevents the formation of ice on the surfaces.

Answer 9

it's not dangerous at all. don't worry. most trans-atlantic flights and big aircrafts and jet are tested for this and there's a built-in de-icing system (can't remember the exact word for it) within the engine.

i flew trans-Atlantic 4x to BC at peak of winter there so no worries, ok!