Plain English Meaning

Equipment on the aircraft that either knocks ice off after it forms or stops ice from sticking in the first place.

Full Definition

Aircraft systems designed to either remove ice that has already formed on critical surfaces (deice) or prevent ice from forming in the first place (anti-ice). Common examples include pneumatic boots that inflate to break off accumulated ice, electrically heated propellers and windshields, heated pitot tubes, weeping-wing systems that release a freezing-point depressant fluid, and engine inlet heat using bleed air or electrical elements.