In aeronautics, ice protection systems keep atmospheric moisture from accumulating on aircraft surfaces, such as wings, propellers, rotor blades, engine intakes, and environmental control intakes. Ice buildup can change the shape of airfoils and flight control surfaces, degrading control and handling characteristics as well as performance. An anti-icing, de-icing, or ice protection system either prevents formation of ice, or enables the aircraft to shed the ice before it becomes dangerous.
Supercooled large droplet (SLD) ice on a NASA Twin Otter research aircraft
Ice accumulation on a rotor blade in a wind tunnel
Propeller blade with fluid deicing system – glycol is sprayed from hub outward to cover blades
Detail of propeller with electro-thermal deicing system
A deicing boot is a type of ice protection system installed on aircraft surfaces to permit a mechanical deicing in flight. Such boots are generally installed on the leading edges of wings and control surfaces as these areas are most likely to accumulate ice which could severely affect the aircraft's performance.
The black rubber deicing boot on the wing of a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 passenger aircraft is inflated with air, producing ridges to crack and dislodge any accumulated ice.
De-icing rubber boots on the wing leading edge of a Beechcraft 350
