Flaps position during de-icing
Join Date: Oct 2003
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merely an engine grunt here. but what if there had been maintenance action meaning the flaps were deployed during freezing rain/fog or snow? guess you would leave them out then... 
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If the runway is contaminated, snow/slush then flaps should be left out so that we can see if there is any accumulation of snow etc on or around the flaps. Plus if you retract them and they are full of this stuff and it subsequently freezes there could be problems.
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If the runway is contaminated, snow/slush then flaps should be left out so that we can see if there is any accumulation of snow etc on or around the flaps. Plus if you retract them and they are full of this stuff and it subsequently freezes there could be problems.
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Last airline I worked for, the sop was flaps and slats retracted for de-icing. When I first started de-icing, most of the planes arrived on the pad configured for takeoff. I'd call 'em on the radio and request they configure for de-icing.
"Just de-ice the f
ing plane" was the usual reply.
Talked to the ramp manager about it, he said to just spray 'em however they were configured, but I still called and asked them to configure for de-icing anyhow. That way, I was on the CVR, if anything were to happen, noting that they were not properly configured when we de-iced the plane.
"Just de-ice the f
ing plane" was the usual reply.Talked to the ramp manager about it, he said to just spray 'em however they were configured, but I still called and asked them to configure for de-icing anyhow. That way, I was on the CVR, if anything were to happen, noting that they were not properly configured when we de-iced the plane.
Check with the aircraft manufacturer. Some aircraft a flaps-up selection is recommended to prevent de-icing fluid washing out the flap track grease etc. Others require flaps down to provide an anti-icing coating for the hold-over time; if not then alternative taxi checklist procedures may be required where flaps-out selection should be delayed until just before take-off; don’t forget, either way there are hazards.
