Deicing is a critical safety process during winter operations that offers unique job opportunities.
An aircraft being deiced (Photo: DFW Airport)
During the winter months, airports around the world are at risk of experiencing snowy and icy conditions. In many places, the cold season can last over half the year.
Winter weather poses significant challenges for airport and aircraft operations. One of these challenges is snow and ice buildup on aircraft surfaces. Accumulated ice on control surfaces such as the wings is a major safety concern.
Aircraft are therefore required to undergo deicing before taking to the skies under certain weather conditions. Deicing is a specialized field in aviation that offers unique job opportunities. Here is what you need to know about airplane deicer jobs.
The shape of an airplane affects how it flies. Aircraft manufacturers design and build their aircraft to strict physical specifications, meaning that planes are very sensitive to any changes in its shape. In particular, airplanes rely on the airflow around the wings and horizontal stabilizer – the smaller “wings” that stick out above or below the tail – to generate lift.
Snow and ice on the wings and horizontal stabilizers of an aircraft change the shapes of these surfaces, thereby affecting their performance. Changes to these surfaces reduce lift and increase drag, which affects the ability of the airplane to take off and fly safely. It is therefore important for any ice or snow to be removed prior to takeoff.
There are also other hazards posed by snow and ice on an aircraft. Snow and ice can add weight, come loose and cause damage, or interfere with aircraft controls.
Deicing actually consists of two processes: deicing and anti-icing.
The first process involves spraying a glycol solution that is heated to 130 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. This fluid is usually orange in color and is sprayed at high pressure to remove contaminants like snow and ice. Deicers spray the top of the fuselage, the wings, and the horizontal stabilizer. To avoid too much strain on the aircraft surfaces, deicers will spray the fluid at an angle and avoid the windows.
In colder conditions, aircraft will then undergo an anti-icing spraying process as well. Although aircraft often have built-in anti-icing mechanisms, external help is sometimes needed. Anti-icing fluid helps prevent frozen precipitation and frost from adhering to aircraft surfaces. The fluid is thicker than deicing fluid and is typically green in color.
A TUI Boeing 757 gets deiced.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
After these processes are complete, the aircraft must take off within a certain window, known as the “holdover time.” This window refers to the period in which the aircraft can safely take off and is determined by what fluids were used and the outside conditions. If an aircraft does not take off during the holdover time, it must undergo deicing treatment again.
Depending on the airport and deicing provider, the spraying processes can occur at the gate or another designated area at the airport. Some airports have a “deicing pad” specifically for deicing operations.
Aircraft deicers work in challenging conditions and must be prepared accordingly. If you are interested in a deicing job, you have to be willing to work in extreme weather conditions such as hail and snow. Deicing trucks typically consist of a cab on an arm that gets raised above the aircraft. Deicers must therefore be comfortable with heights. You will also need to have the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
There are many workplace skills that are also important for deicing. Deicing is a highly coordinated operation, and communication skills are therefore critical. Deicers need to be able to work both independently and as a team. A strong ability to follow procedures and safety processes is also very important.
Deicers also need to have a valid driver’s license that allows them to operate the deicing trucks. You will also have to be able to pass any background checks and obtain an airport access pass.
At some airports, individual airlines are responsible for deicing. In these cases, deicers are typically specially trained ramp agents hired by the airline or contracted ground handling companies.
In other cases, airports provide deicing services to all aircraft at their airport, typically through a third-party deicing contractor. Major companies in this space include Aeromag and IDS.
You will first need to find out who provides deicing services at your local airport. As mentioned above, this could be an airline, a ground handling company, or a deicing company.
Airplane deicing jobs can be posted on job boards, company websites, or airport websites. Job postings usually appear in the months leading up to the winter season.
Deicer jobs – except those that also include general ramp duties – are typically seasonal contract roles. The pay varies depending on the location and employer, but hourly rates generally range from $15 to $25.
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