Which of the following is a characteristic of deicing?

Deicing is a reactive operation that is conducted after ice has already formed and bonded to the surface of an aircraft. Its primary purpose is to remove ice, snow, or frost that has accumulated, ensuring that surfaces are clear for safe flight operations. This process typically involves the application of heated fluids or mechanical means to dislodge ice.

While preventive measures are crucial in aviation to maintain aircraft safety and performance, these actions are referred to as anti-icing, not deicing. Anti-icing is intended to prevent ice accumulation before it occurs. Furthermore, deicing can often be a more involved process that may require specific equipment, like heated fluids or specialized vehicles, making it potentially more complex than anti-icing operations. Thus, the characteristic that deicing is applied after ice has bonded is key to understanding its purpose and application in safety protocols during winter weather operations.