Aircraft De-Icing & Anti-Icing Communications Considerations

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers communication best practice to comply with (ARP) 6257A

Introduction

(ARP) 6257A provides standardized communication phraseology for aircraft ground deicing/anti-icing operations, ensuring clear and concise communication between flightcrew and groundcrew. This practice plays a crucial role in the safety of deicing programs and aims to address historical issues of differing communication scripts at multiple airport locations, which have led to unsafe situations. It is an essential document for ensuring safety and efficiency in these operations, helping to prevent miscommunication and its potentially dangerous consequences.

Key aspects of ARP6257A include:

• Scope and Rationale:

>> The document establishes standard phraseology for communication during deicing/anti-icing operations. It's incorporated into AS6285 and aims to improve safety by standardizing communication, preventing miscommunications that could lead to premature aircraft movement or incomplete deicing.

• Applicable Documents:

>>  References include publications from SAE, FAA, ICAO, NAV Canada, and Transport Canada, covering aspects like ground deicing/anti-icing processes, aeronautical telecommunications, air traffic services, and ground traffic phraseology.

• Phraseology Guidelines:

>> General Communication: Emphasizes establishing contact using the specified phraseology before beginning services, with guidelines on inserting specific or optional information.

• Normal Operations:

>> Details phraseologies for different stages of the deicing/anti-icing process, including pre-deicing communication, post-deicing reporting, and specific instructions for manual deicing or one-step and two-step deicing/anti-icing processes.

• Abnormal Operations:

>>  Covers emergency situations, equipment proximity sensor activation, engine inlet contamination, contamination observed post-deicing, and interrupted or canceled operations. It provides specific phrases for each situation to ensure clear communication and safety.

Communication Protocol Sample & Review (See (ARP) 6257A for full list of recommended Comms)

These examples illustrate the clear, concise, and standardized communication required between flightcrew and groundcrew during deicing/anti-icing operations to ensure safety and efficiency.

Normal Operations:

• Before Deicing/Anti-Icing:

>> Groundcrew: "(aircraft identification) CONFIRM BRAKES SET, AIRCRAFT CONFIGURED, AND TREATMENT REQUIRED"

>>  Flightcrew: "BRAKES SET, AIRCRAFT CONFIGURED, REQUEST [treatment requirements]"

>> Groundcrew: "HOLD POSITION, DEICING STARTS NOW, [MONITOR THE (visual positive hold control method)]"

• After Deicing/Anti-Icing:

>> Groundcrew: "(aircraft identification) DEICING COMPLETE, [fluid type], ANTI-ICING BEGAN AT [time], POST-DEICING CHECK COMPLETED, DEICING PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT ARE SAFELY AWAY"

>> Flightcrew: "HOLD POSITION AND CONTACT [departure control or groundcrew] FOR [departure method]"

Abnormal Operations:

• In Case of Emergency:

>> Groundcrew: "EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, ALL AIRCRAFT STOP, HOLD POSITION"

>> For deicing equipment emergency: "ALL TRUCKS STOP DEICING, PROCEED TO [location] AND STANDBY FOR FURTHER"

• Deicing Equipment Proximity Sensor Activation:

>> Groundcrew: "A SAFETY PROXIMITY SENSOR [location] HAS BEEN ACTIVATED ON THE [aircraft location], CONDUCTING INITIAL CHECK, STANDBY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION"

>> Flightcrew: "ROGER, STANDING BY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION"

>> Groundcrew: "[Results of check], ADVISE YOUR INTENTIONS" 

• Interrupted Operations:

>> Groundcrew: "[Reason for interruption], DEICING IS INCOMPLETE, STANDBY FOR FURTHER TREATMENT"

>> Flightcrew: "STOP DEICING, [reason], [specific intentions], ADVISE WHEN DEICING PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT ARE SAFELY AWAY"

 

Next Steps

For Training Related to Aircraft De–Icing & Anti-Icing please see www.sassofia.com and www.sofemaonline.com. For questions please email Team@sassofia.com