Hi all
I'm not an engineer or pilot but do work on the ground and I'm involved in de-icing every now and then when it's required.
I flew on Saudi Arabian Airlines in mid Feb to Riyadh from Heathrow (772). We boarded on time etc and doors were closed for a good 10mins but we still hadn't pushed back, then the next minute a de-icing rig pulled up and started to de-ice us (wings + tail only).
That may seem quite ordinary for February, but it was +9c outside (according to METAR at the time) and no other aircraft were being de-iced.
Are there any reasons why de-icing might be requested in such conditions as I've never experienced it before?
Thanks