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De-icing is the process of removing the ice or snow that collects in severe weather conditions, from aircraft before they can be used. The main reason for de-icing is the potential safety hazard posed by the accumulation of snow and frost. The wings, tail and fuselage of the airplane are designed specifically for proper lift-off and the presence of frost or snow on these surfaces can mess with the aerodynamics hence, hindering flight.
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In order to deal with this problem, a glycol-based de-icing fluid is heated and then sprayed with force on the aircraft to remove any ice or snow.
This process has to be followed by an anti-icing spray in intense climates. This needs to be done as the holdover time, or the amount of time for which the de-icing fluid works before the frost starts forming again on the plane is only a few minutes. So, in order to tackle extreme weather, anti-icing fluid needs to be sprayed. This further prevents the formation of frost on the body, sensors and engine as it has a longer holdover time ranging from 30-80 minutes.
The aircraft might also be equipped with internal heating systems that have pipes running across the body and hot air pervading through them. This prevents the precipitation from turning into ice. Inflatable structures that can be used to break the snow or frost once it has collected on the surface also help in de-icing.