June 24, 2025
De-icing Assistance System
Safety and efficiency are the highest priorities of all deicing operations. OPTIM-ICE delivers on both of these priorities. Airpro in Helsinki has operated an Elephant BETA with OPTI-ICE for the past three years and have experienced the benefits. EFM in Munich trialed a unit for one season and fount lots of advantages.
Using LIDAR radars OPTIM-ICE initiates a job by scanning the aircraft in one quick pass.
The software immediately recognizes the aircraft surface and selects the appropriate deicing patterns. The software then takes over and assists the operator by moving the nozzle in pre-selected patterns across the wing and stabilizer.
The radars ensure that the nozzle or telescope cannot touch the aircraft surfaces. A software will slow down the approach and stop it completely at designated distance (typically 1 meter).
The operator is still in control, and it is his or her judgment whether the surfaces are clean, but OPTIM-ICE performs the operation semi-automatically. Training can be reduced as the software assists the operator.
