Ice and Rain Protection (A320)

These notes cover ice and rain protection on the Airbus A320, written as questions and answers. If anything here conflicts with your FCOM, the FCOM wins.

When icing conditions exist

Icing conditions exist when the outside air temperature on the ground, or the total air temperature in flight, is 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) or below and there is visible moisture. That means cloud, fog with visibility of 1,500 metres (1 statute mile) or less, rain, snow, sleet or ice crystals. They also exist when standing water, slush, ice or snow is on ramps, taxiways or runways.

Engine anti ice

Engine anti ice (EAI) is used when icing conditions are met. After engine start, if icing conditions exist, the crew switch EAI on. With EAI on, the ECAM memo shows ENG A.ICE and the engine anti ice valve opens if bleed air is available from the engine. Continuous ignition is selected when the valve opens, so the IGNITION memo also appears.

The amber FAULT light and an ECAM caution come on if the valve position does not match the ENG pushbutton selection. If the FAULT light shows because the valve did not open, increase the engine N2 by 5 percent. When the valves open, retard the thrust levers to idle.

Using bleed air for engine anti ice reduces engine performance, and engine rpm goes up when either engine anti ice valve is open. If electrical power for the ice protection systems is lost, EAI is still available but wing anti ice is not. After landing in icing conditions, EAI should be switched off after parking.

Wing anti ice

Hot air from the pneumatic system heats the three outboard slats, numbers 3, 4 and 5, of each wing. After takeoff, the crew select wing anti ice on after the thrust reduction altitude, if needed. On approach, it is normally selected off at the final approach fix, but in severe icing it may stay on for landing.

If the system finds a leak in normal operation, the wing anti ice valve on the affected side closes automatically. The APU can supply wing anti ice, and wing anti ice can be used with one engine out. If the wing anti ice pushbutton is switched on while on the ground, a test sequence runs and the valves open for only 30 seconds.

Probes, drains and windows

• Probes are heated automatically when at least one engine is running or the aircraft is in flight.
• Drain masts, including the galley and lavatory ones, are heated any time the aircraft electrical system is powered.
• Windshields and side windows are heated automatically when at least one engine is running. With the PROBE/WINDOW HEAT pushbutton on before engine start, the windshield heat works at low power on the ground.
• The RAIN RPLNT pushbutton does nothing on the ground with the engines stopped.

Part of the A320 systems series. See also Airbus Tech. Your FCOM is always the final reference.