Winter weather airline prep includes deicing planes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Airlines remove snow and ice from thousands of planes every winter, according to a press release from American Airlines to make sure passengers reach their destinations safely.

According to the release, deicing is usually necessary when temperatures are at or below freezing along with precipitation or frost.

Deicing fluid is sprayed on the wings and other areas of the plane to help reduce drag and helps lift it during takeoff. To keep operations moving crews work to deice planes as quickly and as safely as possible.

Deicing fluid is a mixture of propylene glycol and water, and lasts approximately 22 minutes.

According to the National Aviation Academy, there are four types of deicing fluid. Type I has a 55:45 ratio of glycol and water and is sprayed on hot and at high pressures in order to remove ice quickly, typically and orange color. Type II has a 75:45 mixture ratio and it is capable of both deicing and anti-icing. Type III is a combination between type I and II ratios. Type IV is not diluted with water, making it more applicable for icing prevention.

According to American Airlines, anti-icing is a preventative and deicing fluid is for when snow or ice is already on the plane and is heated at 140 degrees.