What are the common methods of inflating pneumatic deicer boots?

The common methods of inflating pneumatic deicer boots primarily involve using bleed air from a turbine engine or exhaust from an engine-driven vacuum pump. Bleed air is a high-pressure air taken from the compressor section of the engine. It provides the necessary pressure to inflate the deicer boots effectively, allowing them to expand and break off ice that may have formed on the leading edges of the wings and tail surfaces.

Using exhaust from an engine-driven vacuum pump is another viable method; while the primary function of vacuum pumps is to provide suction for instrument operation, certain designs can utilize the exhaust to assist in inflating the deicer boots. This method is less common, as bleed air is generally more effective and readily available in turbine-engine aircraft.

The other methods listed do not adequately represent standard practice for deicer boot inflation. Manual pumping or electric inflation lacks the pressure and consistent operation required for effective de-icing in flight. Hydraulic pressure or nitrogen gas, while useful in other contexts, do not align with conventional deicer boot systems, which rely predominantly on pneumatic methods.