De-Ice, Ice, Baby Trivia Quiz

Answer: propylene glycol

Propylene glycol is a compound with the formula C3H8O2. It is used in the aviation industry as a de-icing and anti-icing fluid. Ethylene glycol is another fluid which can be used to de-ice aircraft, but it is no longer used as often since ethylene glycol has greater environmental hazards than propylene glycol.

Answer: water

Manufacturers recommend that the de-icing fluid be diluted with water to enhance its effectiveness. By itself, de-icing fluid will freeze at around -28°C (-18°F). Diluting the solution with 30% water will decrease the fluid's freezing point to approximately -55°C (-67°F).

Answer: True

Aircraft may require a de-icing treatment even if there is no precipitation directly over the airport. It is possible for ice to accumulate on the aircraft during flight as the aircraft passes through moist clouds. Some aircraft have systems on board to combat icing while in flight, but the pilots may request for the aircraft to receive de-icing treatment after landing to ensure the plane is ice free before its next departure.

Answer: Society of Automotive Engineers

SAE International began as the Society of Automobile Engineers in 1905. The name was changed to Society of Automotive Engineers in 1916. SAE was created in order to help standardize the engineering involved in the manufacturing and maintenance of automobiles. SAE has since expanded into an international organization whose goal is to provide engineering standardization to multiple forms of transportation including maritime and aerospace.

Answer: 4

There are four types of de-icing / anti-icing fluid according to SAE International. Type I fluid is used primarily as a de-icing agent. It is a loose liquid that is heated and then sprayed onto the aircraft to remove any ice that has accumulated on it. Type II and Type IV fluid are thicker and are used in anti-icing.

These types are thickened using various polymers. Type IV is the type of anti-icing fluid that is most often used by major airlines. There is also Type III fluid which is used primarily on slower aircraft.

Answer: 3 minutes

During extreme cold weather conditions, once an aircraft has been de-iced the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) recommends that airlines apply the anti-icing fluid within three minutes. If left too long, ice and snow could accumulate on the aircraft again. Crews would then have to repeat the de-icing procedure before applying the anti-icing fluid.

Answer: white

De-icing and anti-icing fluid is dyed in order to help crews apply the compound most effectively. Type I fluid is orange, Type II and III fluid is yellow and Type IV is green. If you are sitting on an aircraft that is being sprayed you may see these compounds streaking down your window. Having white fluid would not be such a good idea as it would blend in with the snow/ice.

Answer: False

Anti-icing treatment will only protect an aircraft for a limited amount of time. Air temperature and severity of precipitation will have an effect on how long an aircraft will be protected for. In mild conditions, the treatment may be good for several hours.

In extreme cold or blizzard-like conditions, aircraft may only have a few minutes to take off before the anti-icing protection wears off. Once airborne, anti-icing fluid will become ineffective at certain speeds depending on the type used.

Answer: - 25°C (- 13°F)

SAE publishes guidelines as to what the limitations of each type of de-icing / anti-icing fluid. These include time limits for each type based on air temperature and the type of precipitation present. According to these guidelines, anti-icing fluid will be ineffective for temperatures below -25°C (-13°F). During the polar vortex event of 2019, air travel in the mid-western region of the United States and Canada was grounded after the air became too cold for anti-icing fluid to be utilized.

Answer: No

Inhaling fumes from de-icing / anti-icing fluid is not harmful to passengers. When sprayed on to an aircraft the substance gives off a sweet aroma (sort of like cotton candy). However, the fluid is hazardous to the environment. It is important for airlines and airport personnel to ensure that the runoff of the fluid does not make its way into natural areas or public water systems.

Some airports have infrastructure in place to collect and recycle the fluid after its used. Engineers are in the process of researching more eco-friendly substances to be used as de-icing / anti-icing fluid, such as another compound called propanediol.