Airframe icing is a formidable hazard that affects aviation all year round. The phenomenon occurs primarily in atmospheric conditions where supercooled water droplets exist, in clouds, or when flying through freezing rain and drizzle. When an aircraft encounters these conditions, the droplets can freeze upon impact with the plane’s surfaces, forming ice. This accumulation poses a significant threat as it alters the aerodynamics of the aircraft, potentially affecting lift, drag, and control surfaces. Airframe icing is particularly concerning for smaller aircraft and can lead to decreased performance and, in severe cases, loss of control if not properly managed.
If you’re traveling through an airport in a colder climate or during the winter season, you might see aircraft being deiced at the gate by ground vehicles, but how does your aircraft avoid and remove ice during the flight? Let’s take a look at aircraft deicing systems.
Firstly, it’s important to understand that there are two types of aircraft icing systems; preventative systems (anti-icing) and restorative systems (de-icing). Large commercial and complex aircraft are generally fitted with preventative systems, whereas smaller aircraft often rely on systems that remove ice once it has begun to form.
Electric Systems on Large Jets
Among the most sophisticated systems in the arsenal are the electrical anti-icing systems used in large jets. These systems primarily rely on electric heating elements installed within the aircraft’s wings, tail, and engine inlets. By passing electrical currents through these elements, they generate heat that prevents ice from forming or removes existing ice. This advanced technology ensures that even during flight through frigid conditions, the aircraft remains free from the dangers posed by icing, maintaining optimal performance and safety.
Inflatable Boots for Turboprop Aircraft
In contrast, many turboprop aircraft employ a more mechanical solution: inflatable boots. Rubber-like ‘boots’ attached to the leading edges of wings and tail surfaces rapidly inflate and deflate, breaking away any ice attached to the surface. This cyclic action effectively sheds accumulated ice, ensuring continued aerodynamic efficiency and safe flight for turboprop planes operating in icy conditions. A certain amount of ice has to have built up before the system is activated. Turboprop aircraft also typically have electric systems to remove ice from their propeller blades.
Weeping Fluid Systems on Smaller Aircraft
On smaller aircraft, weeping fluid systems come into play. These systems utilize specialized fluid reservoirs installed within the aircraft’s wings and tail. These reservoirs release glycol-based fluids through tiny holes or porous surfaces, creating a thin film that prevents ice formation. The release and flow of the fluid helps to remove ice and helps the area to remain ice-free.
Most small, single-engine general aviation aircraft lack deicing capabilities. Consequently, pilots of such aircraft must exercise extreme caution when encountering icing conditions. Without the protection of deicing and anti-icing systems, it is typically safer to not operate such aircraft in icing conditions at all.
View icing and turbulence forecast areas on Flightradar24
Our icing layer show areas that are forecast to generate icing conditions at various altitudes during a specified time period on Flightradar24.com and our mobile apps. The icing layer forecast is valid for a 3 hour period (00:00 UTC, 03:00 UTC, etc.) for the upcoming 36 hours and the forecast is refreshed every 6 hours. Forecast icing conditions may be viewed at 4000 foot intervals from 6,000 to 30,000 feet.
![An example full flight summary response from the Flightradar24 API: { "data": [ { "fr24_id": "0987654321", "flight": "SK1415", "callsign": "SAS1415", "operated_as": "SAS", "painted_as": "SAS", "type": "A20N", "reg": "SE-DOY", "orig_icao": "ESSA", "orig_iata": "ARN", "datetime_takeoff": "2023-01-27T05:15:22", "runway_takeoff": "12R", "dest_icao": "EKCH", "dest_iata": "CPH", "dest_icao_actual": "EPWA", "dest_iata_actual": "WAW", "datetime_landed": "2023-01-27T06:15:10", "runway_landed": "27L", "flight_time": 3600, "actual_distance": 1007.74, "circle_distance": 6245, "category": "Passenger", "hex": "4A91F9", "first_seen": "2023-01-27T05:06:22", "last_seen": "2023-01-27T06:18:10", "flight_ended": "true" } ] }](https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Flight-summary-API-cover-300x148.jpg)
![An example full flight summary response from the Flightradar24 API: { "data": [ { "fr24_id": "0987654321", "flight": "SK1415", "callsign": "SAS1415", "operated_as": "SAS", "painted_as": "SAS", "type": "A20N", "reg": "SE-DOY", "orig_icao": "ESSA", "orig_iata": "ARN", "datetime_takeoff": "2023-01-27T05:15:22", "runway_takeoff": "12R", "dest_icao": "EKCH", "dest_iata": "CPH", "dest_icao_actual": "EPWA", "dest_iata_actual": "WAW", "datetime_landed": "2023-01-27T06:15:10", "runway_landed": "27L", "flight_time": 3600, "actual_distance": 1007.74, "circle_distance": 6245, "category": "Passenger", "hex": "4A91F9", "first_seen": "2023-01-27T05:06:22", "last_seen": "2023-01-27T06:18:10", "flight_ended": "true" } ] }](https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Flight-summary-API-cover-768x378.jpg)
