ICE Air Operations (IAO) is the air transportation arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Every airline handles their own de-icing, including purchasing, storing, and applying de-icing and anti-icing fluids to their planes. De-icing solution is a mixture of propylene glycol and water, heated to around 150 degrees, and sprayed under pressure to the wings of an aircraft.
Bacteria can survive in ice cubes, research shows. What makes ice on airplanes problematic, according to food safety experts, is a lack of rigorous food safety training among flight attendants. That means they may not always properly wash hands or use gloves when they're scooping the ice and pouring your drinks.
The issue with rice is that when it comes to non-commercial portions, meaning if someone is bringing like a few pounds of it with them in the airplane, it most definitely will go through further inspection. What they are trying to avoid is the possibility of the rice carrying with it khapra beetles.
Winter Weather
Flying in the winter is something that we all do regularly. Just because there is winter weather outside, it doesn't mean that planes will suddenly stop flying. As we've discussed above, snow, ice, and bad weather do not hinder a flight.
The ice alters airflow over the wing and tail, reducing the lift force that keeps the plane in the air, and potentially causing aerodynamic stall—a condition that can lead to a temporary loss of control.
Enough ice buildup can cause the engine to stop working. “In moderate to severe conditions, a light aircraft can become so iced up that continued flight is impossible,” the Foundation noted. Ice on the wings and tail of an airliner can be fatal.
Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening.
Types of Runway De-icing Product
The products most commonly used for this purpose are: Urea. Ethylene/Propylene Glycol-based fluids. Sodium Acetate.
Deicers - How Do They Work on Runways? In most cases, liquid deicers are used as anti-icers — meaning they're applied proactively. They're often applied before there's a chance for snow and ice to accumulate or bond to the pavement.
Step #1: De-Icing – Remove The Bad Stuff!
Spraying the aircraft with very hot, high pressure fluid removes snow, ice, or frost adhering to the wings. Fluids are tinted to make them easier for pilots and ground crews to identify.
The spraying of airplanes as they land is a tradition known as the “water salute.” As explained by Wikipedia, it's performed for ceremonial purposes, such as the retirement of an airplane. When an airplane makes its final flight, it's honored with the water salute once it lands on the tarmac.
He said early mornings or nighttimes with active frost and when rime ice forms on descending planes flying through low thick clouds in high humidity generally require deicing. "Any falling, freezing precipitation; snow, rain/snow mix, freezing rain, and sleet requires anti-icing," Pearson said.
A familiar concern is that winter storms are followed by strong wind gusts which emerge out of nowhere, making it hard to take off and/or land. Flights also cancel if ice accumulates on or around the plane due to extremely cold weather.
On the Ground.
Generally airline and passenger/freight carrying operations are suspended during periods of freezing rain. Even without being prohibited by the operators manual, operations in freezing rain are difficult as the applicable Hold-Over Time from an anti-icing treatment is very limiting in freezing rain.
Rain is just water, no matter the pressure. Modern aircraft can generate lift regardless of the heaviness of the rain. Planes can and will take off and land in the rain. The only real problem with heavy rainfall is the decrease in visibility for the pilots.
Pilots are trained to fly in all types of weather conditions, and modern planes rely on in-flight technology to help keep them on track during the flight. While it is generally safe to fly in the rain, there are still risks involved, such as reduced visibility and slick runways.
A runway covered in ice is classified as "poor" braking action. Like on an icy road, conditions can be extremely variable and hazardous. As a result, airfield operators will spray a chemical substance on a runway to stop it from icing up.
Rime ice is an opaque, or milky white, deposit of ice that forms when the airplane is flying through filmy/stratiform clouds. It is dependent on a low rate of catch of small supercooled water droplets. It accumulates on the leading edges of wings and on antennas, pilot heads, etc.
Tap Water (Including in Coffee and Tea)
As T+L previously explained, the water tanks on planes are notoriously grimy. A 2004 EPA sample of 158 planes found that 13 percent contained coliform, and two had dangerous levels of E. coli.
The pressure causes a lot of foam when pouring out sodas. Of course flight attendants can't serve a cup of froth, so they have to fill part of the cup, wait for the bubbles to settle, then finish pouring. And one offender takes even longer than the rest: Diet Coke.
The most common reason for aircraft to dump fuel is to keep them from landing above their maximum permitted weight. This will generally occur in instances when a flight needs to return to the airport shortly after departure.