Quick Facts
- Type
- Weather Hazard
- Definition
- The accumulation of ice on an aircraft's external surfaces during flight thro...
- Used By
- Pilots, Dispatchers
Definition#
Aircraft icing is the accretion of ice on airframe surfaces, engine inlets, sensors, and antennas when an aircraft flies through visible moisture (clouds, freezing rain, freezing drizzle) at temperatures at or below freezing.
Why It Matters Operationally#
Ice changes the wing's shape, increasing drag and weight while decreasing lift and stall margin. Severe icing can overwhelm de-icing/anti-icing systems. PIREPs and AIRMETs provide real-time and forecast icing information.
Related Guides#
- Aircraft Icing Explained
- Aviation Weather Explained — The Complete Operational Guide
- Air Masses & Fronts in Aviation
- How to Read a METAR