The pneumatic boot is usually made of layers of rubber , with one or more air chambers between the layers . If multiple chambers are used , they are typically shaped as stripes aligned with the long direction of the boot . It is typically placed on the leading edge of an aircraft 's wings and stabilizers . The chambers are rapidly inflated and deflated , either simultaneously , or in a pattern of specific chambers only . The rapid change in shape of the boot is designed to break the adhesive force between the ice and the rubber , and allow the ice to be carried away by the relative wind flowing past the aircraft . However , the ice must be carried away cleanly from the trailing sections of the surface , or it could re-freeze behind the protected area . Re-freezing of ice in this manner was a contributing factor to the crash of American Eagle Flight 4184
American Eagle Flight 4184
American Eagle Flight 4184
Ice protection system