What winter runway traction substances have you come across at large runways (civil or military)?

Question

What winter runway traction substances have you come across at large runways (civil or military)?

Answer 1

Depending on the amount of accumulation, the runway will be plowed and broomed.

In most cases, urea, brine solutuion (deice fluid) and sand can be used... either by themselves or in combination.

They do not use rock salt.

Hope this helps answer your question.

Answer 2

Urea i think it is called i used it when in the RAF

it is pelleted pigs urine it just melts the ice, snow they will not put any substance down because it becomes a hazard to the Jet engines,

Answer 3

The only traction substance that is used on runways is  sand.

Salt, and brine cannot be used around aircraft because salt is extremely corrosive to aluminum, which is a major component of aircraft.

Glycol is used to melt ice on runways at certain temperature levels, but it is not a traction substance.

Where the temperature is very cold, warm sand is very effective on ice, because the sand melts into the ice just enough to stick to the ice, making the ice's surface sandpaper.

Pelleted urea, a nitrogen compound, is used for ice melting on ramps and steps, but steps must be taken to prevent it from being ingested into engines.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 4

Urea, salt, sand...

Answer 5

Sand.  Cinders

Answer 6

Rare that anything is used at most airports.

Answer 7

I live no more than 2 miles away from Pierre Elliot Trudeau Intl (CYUL)

they  use sand for traction there and glycol for deicing (but not for traction though) but as another answerer said, for snow, no sand is used

after heavy snows, the runways and taxiway are plowed and groomed.

Answer 8

It depends upon the thickness of the ice.  Some will use urea, and others will use a calcium based substance.  However, the latter needs to be blown off of the runway after it has done the job.