Winter FOD checks on the airfield prioritize removing snow and ice from vehicles.

Winter on the airfield isn’t a postcard scene. It’s a test of attention, discipline, and a few smart habits that keep aircraft safe and crews moving. When the cold snaps in and snow swirls across the tarmac, Foreign Object Debris (FOD) takes on new forms. Not all FOD is obvious, and in winter, a lot of it hides in plain sight—under a vehicle, frozen to a fender, or tucked into a wheel well. That’s why FOD checks in winter emphasize a single, simple action most of all: remove snow and ice from vehicles.

Let me explain why that one task earns the spotlight during cold weather. Snow and ice aren’t just pretty to look at when the sun hits them. They become debris when the vehicle starts moving. A chunk of ice can shake loose or a clump of packed snow can break away and end up on a runway, taxiway, or near a critical path for a jet. On a busy ramp, even a small shard of ice can cause damage to airframe surfaces, windshields, or engine intakes. The goal of a winter FOD check is to reduce those hidden hazards before a vehicle is put to work. And the most reliable way to do that is to ensure every vehicle is clear of snow and ice.

A quick note on the other two tasks you’ll sometimes see highlighted in winter safety talk: tire pressure and headlights. They’re important for winter driving safety—colder air lowers tire pressure, visibility drops with frost and glare, and headlights help crews see and be seen in dim daylight. But strictly speaking, they’re not the core FOD concern in winter conditions. That primary concern is the risk that snow and ice will shed from vehicles and become foreign objects on the airfield. Still, they’re worthy additions to a broader winter readiness mindset, so think of them as part of a holistic approach to ramp safety rather than a substitute for clearing debris.

A practical winter FOD checklist (the kind you can actually use)

• Clear snow and ice from the whole vehicle: hood, roof, doors, bumper, wheel covers, and under any attached equipment. Don’t leave a snow “hump” on top or a frozen clump on the intake. The moment you move, that stuff can break free and drift into a critical area.

• Clear lights and plates: ice on headlights or taillights reduces visibility for others, and snow on license plates can obscure identification in the unlikely event you need to trace a departure path. A quick wipe can prevent a lot of confusion on the apron.

• Check around the wheel wells and undercarriage: ice can pack into gaps and create a pocked, jagged debris that can loosen as the vehicle vibrates. Give a quick once-over; if you see ice chunks, remove them before you roll.

• Inspect attached equipment and removables: snow can cling to ladders, containerized gear, or tow bars. If a tether or a hook is iced over, it can fail or shed debris unexpectedly.

• Make sure the vehicle is clean of loose hardware: winter scenes often hide small parts that loosen when the vehicle jostles in frost and melt. A jiggle test or a visual scan can catch a loose cap, cover, or grommet before it becomes a projectile.

• Tire pressure and condition (a secondary—but still critical—check): in cold weather, tire pressure can drop. A quick gauge check helps ensure the tires maintain proper contact with the surface. Correct pressure improves handling, braking, and stability on slick surfaces.

• Headlights and mirrors (visibility matters): frost or condensation can blur visibility. Clear lenses so you can be seen, and so you can see what’s ahead as you maneuver on the ramp or taxiway.

• Ramp etiquette and parking discipline: every crew member should know where to park so that snow removal equipment, fuel trucks, and other vehicles don’t create docking hazards. If a vehicle is parked, chock the wheels and secure any loose items.

• Post-walk safety: after you’ve cleared the vehicle, do a quick walk-around to ensure there aren’t stray ice patches near the tires or in the path you’ll use to exit. Cold air can keep ice stubborn—a final check pays off.

Why these steps work in practice

The ramp is a busy place even on a calm day. Add winter weather, and the pace tightens. Snow and ice aren’t just inconvenient; they are dynamic hazards. They can melt and refreeze, become sharp, and travel in unexpected directions. You might be tempted to save a little time by briskly clearing only the obvious spots, but that’s how FOD ends up where it shouldn’t be. The winter approach is simple: assume every bit of snow and ice is a potential projectile, and take the time to remove it where it can travel.

When someone asks, “Isn’t tire pressure important enough to start with?” the answer is yes—on its own. But on the subject of FOD, the central concern is what can become debris on the airfield. Tire pressure affects safe operation, sure, but if you’re ignoring snow and ice on a vehicle, you’re letting a hazard slide right into the path of an aircraft. That’s why the winter FOD drill prioritizes removal of snowfall and frost, with tire checks and lighting checks acting as essential adjuncts rather than the main act.

A few real-world tangents you’ll likely recognize

• The “hidden ice” problem: you’ve seen it before—ice on the underside of a winglet or splash shield that’s been there for days. It doesn’t look like much, but as a transport door or gust from a taxiing engine passes, that ice can shed fast. The fix is simple: a careful, thorough wipe-down, even if it feels repetitive.

• Snow still on the roof? It’s easy to overlook, but it’s not harmless. When a vehicle accelerates or brakes hard, that snow can slide off, catch wind, and become a hazard in the flight path. A quick rooftop sweep is worth the moment it costs.

• The crew mindset matters: winter safety is as much about culture as it is about technique. If the team treats FOD checks as a boring checkbox, the process loses focus. If the crew treats it as a shared responsibility to protect aircrews and aircraft, the checks become second nature and safer for everyone involved.

Common slip-ups to watch for

• Rushing through the removal of snow and ice and skipping tight spots around hinges, door edges, and undercarriage pockets.

• Assuming that “just a little bit” of ice is harmless. Even small flakes can shed and cause trouble.

• Waiting until the end of a shift to do the checks. Cold-weather debris can accumulate, and a rushed end-of-shift sweep increases risk.

• Forgetting to re-check after a snowfall or a melt cycle. Conditions change, and a fresh round of debris can appear quickly.

Anchoring a safety culture on the ramp

Winter safety on the airfield isn’t about one single procedure. It’s about how teams talk to each other, how they prioritize hazards, and how they build habits that stick. Here are a few practical tips to keep the momentum going:

• Start every shift with a quick FOD briefing focused on winter risks. A 60-second reminder can set the tone for caution and care.

• Use clear, simple language. When you describe a hazard—“ice on the hood, loose snow in the wheel well”—everyone understands what’s at stake.

• Pair up for checks when the weather is tough. A second set of eyes reduces the odds of missing something obvious.

• Document what was cleared and what wasn’t, so you can learn and adjust. Even a simple checklist kept on a clipboard or tablet helps maintain accountability.

• Keep a small stash of winter gear on hand—ice scrapers, brushes, wands, and a reliable tire pressure gauge. Accessibility matters more than you think.

Bringing it all together

Winter on the airfield demands a clear, purposeful approach to safety. The core FOD task—removing snow and ice from vehicles—serves as a frontline defense against debris entering critical areas. It’s not that other maintenance checks aren’t important; they are. Tire pressure, headlights, and overall vehicle condition all contribute to safe operations in the cold, but they don’t replace the need to keep ice and snow from becoming airborne hazards.

So, the next time you’re around a ramp in winter, remember this: a thorough snow-and-ice sweep is more than a routine. It’s a commitment to safety, a respect for the runway that keeps aircraft flying and crews working confidently through the season’s chill. And if you carry that mindset forward, you’ll find the rest falls into place—quietly, efficiently, and with less drama than the weather might otherwise suggest.

If you’re curious about the broader world of airfield operations, you’ll notice how these small, deliberate habits ripple outward. From weather readiness to deicing procedures, from vehicle maintenance to aircraft maneuvering on slick surfaces, winter safety isn’t a single skill set. It’s a rhythm—the habit of scanning, clearing, and confirming that the ramp remains a place of precision and safety.

In short: winter FOD checks are all about removing snow and ice from vehicles, because that’s the surest way to keep debris off the airfield and protect aircraft, crews, and mission readiness. And while you’re at it, a quick check of tire pressure and headlights adds to the overall safety tapestry, making the ramp a safer, smarter place to operate when the temperature drops and the wind bites.