a method for at least partially de - icing an aircraft by applying a de - icing fluid through a nozzle is disclosed . the method involves the steps of : measuring a distance to an outside surface of the aircraft , applying the distance in an evaluation , controlling the position and / or the orientation of the nozzle according to the evaluation , and applying the de - icing fluid at least a part of the outside surface trough the nozzle . in addition , a system for performing the de - icing method is also revealed .