An apparatus for inhibiting accretion of airborne material on a surface of
an aircraft. The apparatus comprises a film adapted to overlie at least a
portion of the aircraft surface and a driver mechanism coupled to the
film. The driver mechanism is operative to slideably move the film
relative to the aircraft surface, such that airborne material impinging
on the film detaches itself and breaks away therefrom. In a particular
example of implementation, the apparatus is adapted and used for
inhibiting accretion of airborne material on an airfoil leading edge.