Much like cars, the winter also affects private jets. With winter fast approaching, the likelihood of an aircraft needing to be de-iced is on the rise - so we thought we would give some insight on how this may affect your private jet flight.
Why must a private Jet be de-iced?
It is illegal for an aircraft to take off if there is any snow or ice present on its surface as the presence of either of these on the wings will reduce the performance. Further to this, ice can block controls on a private jet (ailerons, elevators and rudders), and safety issues arise if these cannot perform at full capacity.
Image by @time2gofly
How is a Private Jet De-iced?
The principle is very similar to de-icing a car windscreen, in the sense that a formula of chemicals is sprayed over the jet to remove any ice, and prevent further ice from forming. However, for safety reasons, it is a legal requirement to remove all snow and ice from an aircraft prior to takeoff. This is done using a specialised vehicle called a de-icing rig, which allows the fluid to be evenly sprayed on to all areas of the jet. De-icing fluid is applied at a high temperature to assist with the process of removing ice and snow, and tends to contain a bright coloured dye - which allows the de-icing team to see where it has already been applied and ensure they cover the entire aircraft. As a private jet client, you will usually be on board whilst de-icing is carried out, so you can be airborne as soon as possible upon completion.
Different types of de-icing fluid can be used, depending on the needs of your private jet. The most commonly used fluid is a short acting de-icer, which is sprayed on at a high temperature and pressure to quickly and effectively remove ice before takeoff. Other de-icing fluids are thicker, so they do not run off the aircraft as quickly after being applied. These tend to be sprayed on after the initial de-icing fluid, to prevent ice from re-forming during flight.
How much does it cost to de-ice a private jet?
Cost can vary largely between airports, as each has their own price per litre for de-icing fluid. On average, it costs around €5 per litre, so the table below gives an approximate price for de-icing different types of jets.
jet type
Small Propellor
Small Jet
Medium Jet
Long Range Jet
Regional Airliner
Airliner
Fluid quantity (Litres)
50
200
300
500
700
2000
Total price
€250
€1000
€1500
€2500
€3500
€10,000
How to avoid paying de-icing costs for your private jet
Keeping a private jet in a hangar can prevent the need for de-icing altogether, but in some airports this may cost more than the de-icing. On top of this, many private jet airports do not have sufficient hangar space for all aircraft. One potential solution is to use a heated hangar for a short period of time before takeoff, as in many cases, one hour can melt the ice on the private jet that would otherwise require de-icing.
In some circumstances, we can organise a de-icing waiver for low risk bookings. This will allow an element of security without fear of supplementary invoices.
Whatever your reason for flying , we would love to help you organise your trip. After all, life is about adventure so why stay grounded?
Get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts today and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005