Anti-icing

Anti-icing is the proactive application of heat or fluid to prevent ice from forming on aircraft surfaces, engines, or sensors. It differs from de-icing, which removes ice that has already accumulated.

Anti-icing methods include:

• Engine anti-ice: Hot bleed air heats engine inlet cowls and guide vanes
• Wing anti-ice: Hot bleed air or electro-thermal heating on leading edges
• Windshield anti-ice: Electrical heating elements embedded in windshield layers
• Pitot/static anti-ice: Electric heaters on probes (activated before every flight)
• Ground anti-ice fluid: Type II/IV fluids applied before takeoff to prevent ice formation during taxi and takeoff roll