A newbie doubt, if it's ok...

1. Ground vehicles rely on their tires for propulsion, which can lead to
loss of control on slick surfaces. Airplanes use propellors or turbines
which push air around for propulsion.

2. Ground vehicles rely solely on their tires for directional control,
which lose traction on slick surfaces. Airplanes can utilize thrust
(including differential thrust) and flight control surfaces (rudder) for
directional control on slick surfaces.

3. Ground vehicles rely solely on brakes and tires for stopping. Many
airplanes have thrust reversers to help them stop. Single engine piston
airplanes have the same problem as ground vehicles when it comes to
stopping.

As you can see, airplanes possess a number of advantages over ground
vehicles for manuevering on slick surfaces. They aren't completely immune
to the problem, but less prone to loss of control.

Dean

"Ramapriya" wrote in message
om...
Hi there,

Is a non-aviator airing a doubt ok with you folks?

I know cars and trucks tend to skid even at low speeds in sleet and on
ice, with braking often proving ineffectual. This leaves me wondering
why is it that we don't ever hear of aircraft skidding and going
off-track while taxiing or even during takeoff/landing? Is the lack of
such incidents only because of the meticulousness of ice clearance by
airport authorities?

Look forward to a comment on this from you experienced folks

Cheers,

Ramapriya