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Aircraft Icing

Aircraft icing poses a very significant hazard to aircraft. Ice on an airplane can have a diminishing affect on almost all aspects of performance, including:

  • Increased weight
  • Increased drag
  • Decreased lift
  • Decreased thust

Rime Icing​

Rime ice forms when drops are small, such as those in stratified clouds or light drizzle. The liquid portion remaining after initial impact freezes rapidly before the drop has time to spread over the aircraft surface.

Rime ice looks brittle and frost-like.

Clean Icing​

Clear ice forms when, after initial impact, the remaining liquid portion of the drop flows out over the aircraft surface gradually freezing as a smooth sheet of solid ice. This type forms when drops are large as in rain or in cumuliform clouds.

Icing types

Mixed Icing​

Mixed ice forms when drops vary in size or when liquid drops are intermingled with snow or ice par-ticles. It can form rapidly. Ice particles become imbedded in clear ice, building a very rough ac-cumulation sometimes in a mushroom shape on leading edges.

Intensity​

  • Trace: Perceptible, no significant accumulation
  • Moderate: Significant accumulations for shorter periods of flight
  • Severe: Rapid, dangerous accumulations

References