Ice may look harmless.

On an aircraft, it can be dangerous.

A thin layer of ice on a wing can disrupt airflow, reduce lift, increase drag, and make an aircraft much harder to control.

So how do airplanes keep flying when temperatures are far below freezing?

In Engineering Insights S2 E85, we explore the engineering behind aircraft de-icing and anti-icing systems — from heated wings and engine systems to specialized fluids used on the ground.

We begin with the problem.

Aircraft encounter supercooled water droplets inside clouds. These droplets can remain liquid below freezing and instantly freeze when they strike an aircraft surface.

Ice can build up on wings, propellers, engine inlets, sensors, and other critical components.

The solution starts before takeoff.

On the ground, c ...