The wing anti-ice system uses hot bleed air from the engines.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in flight
• D. Only on the ground

Answer: (A)

Wing leading edges are heated by hot bleed air drawn from the engines to prevent ice from forming. This heat source is available from the engines themselves, so the anti-ice system can be activated whenever icing conditions are possible, not just during flight or only on the ground. The hot, pressurized air is routed through ducts to the wing leading edges, warming the surface enough to keep ice from adhering. A control system monitors conditions and will enable or disable bleed-air heating as needed, which is why this method is a standard and reliable approach to wing anti-ice.