Meltdown at IAH this morning
Feb 27, 2015, 7:53 am
#31
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Deicing and the right mixture is actually quite complicated. Two years ago I had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of an A321 leaving Frankfurt. The crew were weighing the cost of having more fuel in the wings (keeps them warmer, less ice buildup) vs a stronger mixture. The captain took a laptop out and they had an Excel spreadsheet where they entered expected flight times, fuel etc. and then based on that ordered a mixture ratio. It also involved different mixtures for different parts of the plane. I had always assumed there is simply a deicing fluid and you spray it on.
Feb 27, 2015, 8:14 am
#32
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A while ago one of our local TV stations did a thing where they sent a reporter to shadow a de-icing crew at MSP during a mild snow storm. It was fascinating.
Feb 27, 2015, 8:59 am
#33
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Feb 27, 2015, 2:08 pm
#34
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Feb 27, 2015, 3:54 pm
#35
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FYI for context, FlightStats.com shows the extent of the DL meltdown at IAH on 26 Feb.
Here's some of AA's first bank out of CLT that day. 'Meltdown' indeed.
Here's some of AA's first bank out of CLT that day. 'Meltdown' indeed.
Feb 27, 2015, 4:33 pm
#36
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Mar 1, 2015, 8:56 pm
#37
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Flying out of Houston for 20+ years, I've never had one plane I was on that was de-iced or even came close to needing it. But yes, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a delay down here even if it's 40 degrees.