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2 Answers

About de-frosting airplanes

Asked by: 5329 views Aircraft Systems, Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Private Pilot

I'm wondering wich substanses are used in a regular de-frosting mixture on regular airports?

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2 Answers



  1. Jim Foley on Jan 02, 2011

    Here’s a good article about the stuff.  As for us, we just use standard car windsheild wiper fluid or anti-freeze, in a little hand pump sprayer.  Since we’re only flying Skychickens, Barrons, and the like, we only use it to get some light frost off, not built up ice.

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  2. JB on Aug 13, 2012

    There are many types but the most common are Type I, Type II, and Type IV. Type I is used to remove frost, snow, or ice from the aircraft… so it is a DE-ICING fluid with no holdover time (how long you have before you have to get squirted again before takeoff if there is precip falling). Type I is a heated mixture (usually 50/50) of water and a de-icing fluid.

    The other types are done as a two-stage process and applied AFTER the Type I application. They are an ANTI-ICING mixture with a variable holdover time which adheres to the wing and is thicker than Type I. The fluid is designed to provide sufficient time to get the plane treated, taxi to the runway and take off before the holdover time expires.

    Fo most GA operations, a bug sprayer and snow brush are your best weapons.

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