Plain English Meaning

A heated layer built into the front edges of the wings and tail. Electricity warms it up so ice either never forms or breaks off after it forms.

Full Definition

An electrothermal ice protection system that uses a graphite foil heating element bonded to the leading edges of the wings and horizontal stabilizer to prevent or remove ice. The system can operate in anti-ice mode (continuous heat to keep ice from forming) or deice mode (cycled heat to shed ice that has already accumulated).

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions of aircraft anti-ice and deice systems, especially on aircraft that use electrically heated or tail leading edges.