AIRPORT EMPLOYEE Aircraft Fueling and De-icing Operations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary difference between aircraft de-icing and anti-icing?
- De-icing uses hot water; anti-icing uses chemicals
- De-icing removes existing ice and snow; anti-icing prevents new accumulation (Correct answer)
- De-icing is done by ground crews; anti-icing is done by pilots
- De-icing applies to wings only; anti-icing applies to engine inlets
Correct answer: De-icing removes existing ice and snow; anti-icing prevents new accumulation
De-icing removes existing ice, snow, or frost from aircraft surfaces, while anti-icing involves applying fluid to prevent new ice or snow from accumulating before departure.
Question 2: What color is Type I de-icing fluid typically?
- Clear or light orange (Correct answer)
- Bright green
- Blue
- Red
Correct answer: Clear or light orange
Type I de-icing fluid is typically clear to light orange/straw-colored and is primarily used for de-icing (removing existing ice) due to its low viscosity and heated application.
Question 3: What is 'holdover time' in aircraft de-icing operations?
- The time required for de-icing fluid to fully dry on surfaces
- The estimated time anti-icing fluid remains effective before new contamination accumulates (Correct answer)
- The maximum time an aircraft can wait at the gate after de-icing
- The minimum cooling period before refueling after de-icing
Correct answer: The estimated time anti-icing fluid remains effective before new contamination accumulates
Holdover time is the estimated period during which anti-icing fluid prevents the accumulation of ice, snow, or frost on critical aircraft surfaces after application.
Question 4: Which type of de-icing/anti-icing fluid provides the longest holdover time?
- Type I
- Type II
- Type III
- Type IV (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Type IV
Type IV fluid is a thickened anti-icing fluid designed to provide the longest holdover time due to its high viscosity, which allows it to remain on critical surfaces longer.
Question 5: What does the 'clean aircraft concept' require before takeoff?
- The aircraft fuselage must be free of visible dirt
- No frozen contaminants may be present on any critical aircraft surface (Correct answer)
- De-icing fluid must be completely rinsed off before departure
- All cargo must be secured and weighed before de-icing begins
Correct answer: No frozen contaminants may be present on any critical aircraft surface
The clean aircraft concept mandates that no snow, ice, slush, or frost may adhere to any critical surface of an aircraft at the time of takeoff, as contamination severely degrades aerodynamic performance.
Question 6: Which surfaces on an aircraft are considered 'critical surfaces' that must be free of ice before departure?
- Windshield and nose cone only
- Wings, control surfaces, stabilizers, and engine inlets (Correct answer)
- Fuselage panels and cargo doors only
- Landing gear assemblies and wheel wells
Correct answer: Wings, control surfaces, stabilizers, and engine inlets
Critical surfaces include wings, control surfaces (ailerons, elevators, rudder), horizontal and vertical stabilizers, and engine inlets—all areas directly affecting lift, control, and engine operation.
Question 7: When both de-icing and anti-icing are required, what is the correct sequence of operations?
- Apply anti-icing fluid first, then de-ice over it
- De-ice first to remove existing contamination, then apply anti-icing fluid (Correct answer)
- Apply both fluids simultaneously from different nozzles
- De-ice the wings only, then anti-ice the fuselage and tail
Correct answer: De-ice first to remove existing contamination, then apply anti-icing fluid
De-icing must be performed first to remove existing ice and contamination, followed immediately by anti-icing fluid application to prevent re-icing before the aircraft departs.
AIRPORT EMPLOYEE Aircraft Fueling and De-icing Operations 2
What is the primary difference between aircraft de-icing and anti-icing?