EASA SIB No.: 2018-01
Safety Information Bulletin
Aerodromes
SIB No.: 2018-01
Issued: 09 January 2018
Subject: Information on Materials Used for Runway and Taxiway
De/Anti-Icing
Ref. Publications:
Regulation (EU) 139/2014, ADR.OPS.A.005 – Aerodrome Data & ADR.OPS.A.015 – Coordination
between aerodrome operators and providers of aeronautical information services.
EASA SIB 2008-19R2 dated 23 April 2013.
Applicability:
Aerodrome Operators, Competent Authorities for Aerodromes.
Description:
The use of low-weight carbon brakes in modern aircraft since the 1980s and the concurrent switch
to more environmental friendly alkali-organic salts for runway de/anti-icing may cause an
undesired effect on the aircraft.
During winter operations, the aircraft’s carbon brakes and open wheel well/bay are exposed to
alkali-organic salt runway de/anti-icing substances during taxi, take-off and landing. A slush
mixture of snow and alkali-organic salt de/anti-icing substances could freeze onto the landing gear
and inside the wheel well/bay. After landing gear retraction, the frozen slush deposits begin to
melt. The resulting liquid flows into the core of the carbon brake, further contaminating the
carbon discs. The presence of the alkali-organic salt creates a catalytic condition lowering the
temperature oxidation of the carbon, resulting in structural deterioration of the carbon disc
material and reducing the service life and long-term efficiency of the brakes. This leads to a
concern that may have safety consequences.
Aircraft operators should have information on the de/anti-icing substances used at the
aerodromes they operate to and from, in order to assess the exposure of their aircraft to these
substances and adjust their maintenance program.
To assist airplane operators in tracking airplane exposure to alkali-organic runway de/anti-icing
substances for preventative maintenance planning purposes, information on the type of the
substances used on runways and taxiways should be provided. The information could be
disseminated either through SNOWTAM, when a SNOWTAM is issued, or published in the
Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). The information, when disseminated through
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
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EASA SIB No.: 2018-01
SNOWTAM should be displayed in Field T of the SNOWTAM, or inserted in the remarks column of
AD 2.7 when published in the AIP, using the following abbreviations/words for the runway
de/anti-icing generic fluids and solid materials:
— KAC for potassium acetate fluids
— KFOR for potassium formate fluids
— GAC for glycerine acetate fluids
— NAFO for sodium formate solids
— NAAC for sodium acetate solids
— EG for ethylene glycol fluids
— PG for propylene glycol fluids
— UREA
— SAND
The recommended wording should be as follows:
RWY [designator] DE-ICED/ANTI-ICED [delete as appropriate] WITH
KAC/KFOR/GAC/NAFO/NAAC/EG/PG/UREA/SAND [choose as appropriate]
At this time, the safety concern described in this SIB is not considered to be an unsafe condition
that would warrant Safety Directive (SD) action according to Regulation (EU) No 139/2014,
ADR.AR.A.040
Recommendation(s):
EASA recommends operators of aerodromes, that regularly conduct de/anti-icing operations of
the aircraft movement area(s), to publish information on the generic fluids and/or solid materials
they are using, in a SNOWTAM, when it is issued, or to insert such information in the remarks
column of part AD 2.7 of the AIP, using the above-mentioned phraseology and abbreviations.
Contact(s):
For further information contact the EASA Safety Information Section, Certification Directorate.
E-mail:
[email protected].
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
TE.CAP.00117-006 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. ISO9001 Certified. Page 2 of 2
Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.
An agency of the European Union
Dear Madam/Sir,
Please find attached hereto an EASA Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) which has already been posted on
our web site and can be viewed at https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2018-01 .
EASA ADs and other Safety Publications are available online at http://ad.easa.europa.eu
Safety Information Section Email:
[email protected]
EASA Website
(Attachment is in Acrobat PDF format)
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