PLT136: Anti-icing And Deicing Systems
What code PLT136 covers, why the FAA tests it, and how to study Anti-icing And Deicing Systems before your checkride.
Recall aircraft systems - anti-icing / deicing
What this means for your checkride
Anti-icing systems prevent ice from forming in the first place, while deicing systems remove ice that has already accumulated. Common examples include heated surfaces and pneumatic boots that break off accumulated ice on the wing and tail leading edges. These systems protect the airframe, engine inlets, and instruments from the hazards of structural icing.
Pilots must know the difference so they use the right system at the right time and understand the protection their aircraft actually provides.
Students often confuse the two: anti-icing is preventive and must be on before ice forms, whereas deicing acts after ice has built up.
Where to study it
A code on your test report is an area of deficiency. An authorized instructor must review it with you and endorse that review before you take the practical test, and the examiner may revisit it during the oral. Study it until you can explain it out loud, not just recognize the answer.