Holdover Time begins at the start of which step in a two-step anti-icing operation?

• A. First anti-icing step
• B. Final anti-icing step
• C. De-icing step
• D. Takeoff step

Answer: (B)

Holdover Time is the period during which anti-icing fluid protects the aircraft from ice before takeoff. In a two-step anti-icing operation, the first step uses a fluid to shed ice and prepare the surface, while the final anti-icing step applies the protective coating that provides longer-lasting protection. The holdover time clock starts when this final anti-icing application begins, because that is when the protective film is established and able to prevent ice formation under the current conditions. Earlier steps don’t provide the same long-term protection, so they don’t set the holdover time. The other options don’t fit because starting from the initial anti-icing step doesn’t reflect the protective layer’s start, the de-icing step is about removing ice, and the takeoff step is simply when you depart, not when protection begins.