A de-icing apparatus configured to remove ice from a surface part of an aircraft, the de-icing apparatus comprising a heating layer and a conductive surface extending over, and in heat conductive contact with, the heating layer. The conductive surface defines at least a part of the surface part of the aircraft or an aircraft component. The heating layer comprising heating elements defining substantially closed contour zones, each comprising a periphery formed by the heating elements within which an area is defined; the heating layer and the conductive surface configured such that when power is provided to the apparatus the heating elements which fragment ice formed on the surface part of the aircraft according to the shape of the peripheries of the substantially closed contour zones.