Repair A Pneumatic Deicer Boot

Question 1

Why is it important that ice not be allowed to build up on airplane wings in flight?

Answer 1

Ice distorts the shape of the airfoil and destroys the aerodynamic lift. The weight of the ice loads the aircraft down

Question 2

Are pneumatic deicer boots operated before ice forms or after?

Answer 2

After

Question 3

Where does the air come from to operate the pneumatic deicer boots on a reciprocating-engine-powered airplane?

Answer 3

From the discharge side of the air pump used to operate the gyro instruments

Question 4

What is meant by a wet vacuum pump?

Answer 4

It is a vacuum pump that uses engine oil to lubricate its steel vanes. A dry vacuum pump uses carbon vanes, and it does not require any oil

Question 5

What is the purpose of the oil separator in a deicer system?

Answer 5

Oil separators are used with wet vacuum pumps to remove the lubricating oil from the discharge air before this air is used in the deicer boots

Question 6

How are rubber deicer boots cleaned?

Answer 6

By washing them with mild soap and water

Question 7

How are rubber deicer boots attached to the leading edges of aircraft wings and tail surfaces?

Answer 7

They are bonded to the surface with an adhesive. Boots on the older aircraft were attached with machine screws and rivnuts