Plain English Meaning

Rubber strips along the front of the wings and tail that puff up like balloons to break ice off the airplane, then flatten back down again.

Full Definition

Rubber-like protective coverings bonded to the leading edges of wings and stabilizers that, when inflated by engine bleed air or a dedicated pump, expand and contract to crack and shed accumulated ice. Once the ice breaks, the airstream carries it away, and the boots deflate flush against the surface for normal flight.

Context Anchor

Seen in aircraft ice-protection system descriptions, cockpit checklists, and winter flying procedures for aircraft for flight in .