De-Icing Fluid Shortage Worries FAA

Supply Of Chemical Used To Keep Planes And Runways Ice-Free Depleted After Labor Dispute

(CBS)  U.S. airplanes face a cold reality this winter as a potential shortage of the chemical used to de-ice planes looms, according to a Federal Aviation Administration memo.

The FAA pointed to labor disputes among mining facilities that manufacture the chemical potassium acetate, which is used to keep planes and runways free from snow and ice.

In the memo, dated Oct. 29, the FAA says it expects 60 percent less de-icing fluid.

"It is possible that runways may not be able to be maintained to the same level as previous years during winter storms," said an FAA memo sent to airlines Oct. 29. That could prompt a reduction in the typical flow of takeoffs and landings during storms, the memo said.

A 99-day strike at a mine in Canada has helped stall production of the de-icing fluid, the USA Today reported.

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Warning watch out for a subtle buck passing, back peddling, ducking, weaving, and bending of long standing formal FAA safety criteria directives and standard airline or airport operating procedures allowing for some level of less than usual deicing actions.

DO NOT miraculously change or tweak well established safety practices to conveniently fit inconvenient potassium acetate worth more per barrel than jet fuel shortage situation.

Tangible prevention vs. potential of disaster. Sorry no correct deicing; cancel flights.

True integrity test of any safety rule or enforcement achieves maximum worth during the rough, tough, unpopular, inconvenient times.