De-icing is the process of removing snow, ice and frost from aircraft. There are different types of de-icing fluids used depending on conditions and aircraft speed capabilities. Infrared de-icing is available at some airports and reduces glycol usage by up to 90% by only heating the ice and aircraft skin. Winter weather causes delays and cancellations due to de-icing needs. A new computerized de-icing system aims to reduce de-icing time by 3 minutes at Denver International Airport, saving an estimated $6 million in fuel costs annually through improved efficiency.

1. DE-ICING
MARC SIMMANG

2. Overview
 De-icing Process
 De-icing Equipment
 Infrared De-icing
 Cancellations and Delays
 Logistics Impact

3. De-icing Process
 Type I Fluid
 De-icing fluid with low viscosity or “unthickened” for removing ice and snow,
glycol/water mixture heated, usually dyed orange
 Type II Fluid
 Anti-icing thickened fluid designed to remain in place to 100 knots, usually
dyed yellow
 Type III Fluid
 Anti-icing thickened fluid designed for slower aircraft with rotation speeds
under 100 knots, usually dyed yellow
 Type IV Fluid
 Similar to Type II fluids with a longer holdover time, usually dyed green

11. Infrared De-icing
 Available at JFK and Wisconsin’s Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport
 IR de-icing reduces glycol usage by up to 90%
 Does not heat the air, just the ice, snow, and frost and only heats the
aircraft’s skin by about 2 microns
 Even though the IR system can remove ice without Type I glycol, the FAA
still requires Type IV anti-icing fluid be applied
 Since the aircraft is warm when the Type IV fluid is applied, it becomes
more effective and reduces the chance of returning for additional de-
icing

13. Winter Weather Impact
DFW Airport
 Monday
 Delays 340
 Cancellations 1,126
 Tuesday
 Delays 510
 Cancellations 290
 Wednesday
 Delays 338
 Cancellations 269
Chicago O’Hare
 Monday
 Delays 517
 Cancellations 62
 Tuesday
 Delays 592
 Cancellations 67
 Wednesday
 Delays 570
 Cancellations 63

14. Logistics Impact
 IR de-icing can save around $5,000 to $10,000 per
commercial aircraft
 Finding real estate on the airport and high investment cost
act as a deterrent
 This year DIA is debuting a new computerized de-icing
system of five locations, currently taking 15-30 minutes
 System is expected to reduce de-icing time by 3 minutes,
equals about $6 Million savings in fuel by improving accuracy

15. Sources
 https://flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today
 http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2013-10-
02/infrared-de-icing-speeds-process-and-reduces-cost
 http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/dia-update-deicing-delaying-
departures-15-20-minutes-monday-afternoon-evening