Why would the trucks need electrical power to de-ice? They were F-450's with fire engine type pumper and cherry picker bucket. Do they spray an electrically charged solution so they attract ionically to the plane? When GRR claimed the trucks lost power during an electrical outage it seemed like BS to me. They never announce that there is a union slow down over holiday wages and fringe benefits. It is always some safety or practical reason that nobody could complain about.
2007-12-27 13:28:05 · 6 answers · asked by Mere Exposure 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Deicer fluid is kept warm by electrical heaters when the truck is parked. The fluid is not as effective at removing ice and snow if applied cold.
2007-12-27 15:07:34 · answer #1 · answered by JetDoc 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The trucks have an electrical heating element in them to heat the de-icing agent that's used.
The first, and only de-ice truck I ever worked on, used a 480 volt system to keep the glycol solution warm. Among other problems, one of the legs had shorted to the chassis. It blasted me across the ramp when I tried to grab the door handle to shut it down to work on the PTO.
De-icing with heated solution not only removes ice more quickly, but aids in the prevention of ice accumulation as the aircraft taxis and climbs to a point where the aircraft's de-icing system can function until it's above icing conditions.
Actually, line rats that work on a holiday typically get double pay; their holiday pay and regular time, as well as overtime if they go over their weekly 40 hours. Trust me, if there was a union involved, you would have heard about it in the news first.
The simple fact of the matter is that it's up to the pilot whether the airplane departs or not. Given that it's his life on the line, he's accepting responsibility for the people in back. If he doesn't think the aircraft is safe, or can be made safe, he/she isn't going.
Would you take a 1970 Cadillac running on only 3 cylinders, with bad brakes onto the interstate?
Sometimes there are just insurmountable problems. I'd rather wait for electricians to fix the power supply to the de-ice trucks than find myself in an airplane that turned into a sleigh because it couldn't get off the ground.
JT
2007-12-28 02:41:17 · answer #2 · answered by jettech 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The trucks need electrical power to heat the deicing fluid. Type 1 fluid is applied hot in order to melt any ice that may be adhering to the wings of the aircraft. If the trucks lose electrical power, they are not able to heat the fluid and it will not be effective. i.e. the deicing fluid won't de-ice, it will just run off onto the ramp.
2007-12-28 15:03:43 · answer #3 · answered by Jason 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The de-icing fluid is heated to make it work better.The trucks use electrically powered heaters,also the refueling(replenishing) stations for de-icing fluid have electrical components in them. Why is it when something happens people are always wanting to blame the unionized workers? People have no idea what liabilities some aviation workers(mechanics) incur in the performance of their job. Also do you know that the de-icing fluid is not very good for your health
2007-12-28 10:30:30 · answer #4 · answered by gbrljl 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The fluid is heated by electric heaters when the truck isn't running. Unless the fluid is warm (actually quite hot) it doesn't work well. The heat melts the ice, then the fluid (Ethylene Glycol or other) keeps it from refreezing.
2007-12-28 10:32:40 · answer #5 · answered by LC 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, the trucks do have to "refuel" so to speak and it takes power to pump deice fluid to the trucks tanks! So yes if the power goes out, the trucks can't get deice fluid! ? At least it seems to me, I know I can't get gas when the power is out.
2007-12-27 21:41:44 · answer #6 · answered by Tracy L 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋