What ice protection methods are used on the 787?

What ice protection methods are used on the 787?

• A. Hydraulic boot de-icing on wings
• B. Electrically driven anti-ice/anti-ice for wing leading edges and sensors, plus engine/airframe protections
• C. Pneumatic de-icing with hot air only
• D. Chemical anti-ice sprays on surfaces

Answer: (B)

The ice protection on the 787 is electric. Critical surfaces, like the wing leading edges, along with sensors, are heated by electrical elements to prevent ice buildup, and engine/airframe areas receive the same electrically driven protection as part of the system. There are no hydraulic boot de-icers or bleed-air hot-air de-icing for the wings, and chemical sprays are not used on surfaces in flight. This all-electric approach fits the 787’s bleedless architecture and avoids the heavier, pneumatic systems used on older designs.

The ice protection on the 787 is electric. Critical surfaces, like the wing leading edges, along with sensors, are heated by electrical elements to prevent ice buildup, and engine/airframe areas receive the same electrically driven protection as part of the system. There are no hydraulic boot de-icers or bleed-air hot-air de-icing for the wings, and chemical sprays are not used on surfaces in flight. This all-electric approach fits the 787’s bleedless architecture and avoids the heavier, pneumatic systems used on older designs.