Checking Out
The importance of deicing
By Tania Moffat D
eicing an aircraft is serious business. Tat’s why the airline industry has strict regulations con- cerning “adhere contamination” on aircraft prior to take-off. According to Transport Canada, ad-
here contaminants are ice, frost or snow that stick to the critical surfaces of an aircraft – wings, control surfaces, ro- tors, propellers, stabilizers or stabilizing surfaces. Why are adhere contaminants such serious business? It’s about safety. Te presence of frozen materials on air-
craft surfaces can significantly impair a plane’s operation and can lead to catastrophic failure. Ice is heavy. It can create a disturbance on the aerofoil of the aircraft, creating airflow disruption. By creating an uneven surface on critical aircraft controls these materials cause a drag effect that reduces the wings’ ability to generate lift. According to Transport Canada, test data show that frost, ice or snow formations as little as the thickness of medium to coarse sandpaper on the leading edge and upper surface of the wing can reduce lift by as much as 30 per cent and increase drag by 40 per cent, significantly reducing control-
lability and altering aircraft flight characteristics. Ticker or rougher contamination can have increasing effects on lift, drag, stall speed, stability and control. Tis can prevent con- trol surfaces on the wing and tail from moving properly, can block sensors on the outside of the aircraft or break off and obstruct engine intakes. Deicing is so integral to safety that it is the law. Canadian
Aviation Regulations (CARs) prohibit any person from even trying to take-off in an aircraft that has frost, ice or snow adhering to any of its critical surfaces. Tis is called the “Clean Aircraft Concept”. Terefore, deicing is required at airports when tempera-
tures are likely to be around 0 C. Freezing conditions and precipitation make deicing crucial. At Winnipeg Richard- son International Airport, Swissport Canada Deicing is the company responsible for deicing all aircraft prior to take-off. Tey provide an important service to all of the planes that move through our airport. Deicing is similar to scraping ice off the windshield of your car. Unlike a vehicle, however, the deicing of an air-
62 • Winter 2015
The Hub
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