Icing in Aviation

Hi Guys,

I believe that one of the most significant environmental factors in the aviation world is water. More specifically, frozen water. Water can exist in its liquid state while being in below freezing temperatures. While at these extreme temperatures, as long as the water is not messed with it will stay in liquid form. As soon as this water is manipulated in any way, it freezes. When planes fly through super convective clouds, they are flying through below freezing temperatures. Inside those clouds are super-cooled water droplets. Once these water droplets come in contact with the fuselage of the plane, they freeze on impact, creating a layer of ice on the plane.  "Airframe icing, if not overcome by anti-icing systems, can lead to loss of lift and increase in weight, with an associated deterioration in aircraft performance." (IATA.org 2016) Losing lift capabilities while simultaneously adding weight can cause a plethora of negative reactions. While there is liquid water inside convective clouds, there is also solid water inside the clouds called small ice crystals. These crystals have been said to be the main reason for some engine rollbacks that happen in the air. Other than rollbacks, the only true significance that these ice crystals, is that when they reach the engine core the rapidly heat up and melt and they can cause sledge and buildup on engine parts. 

 

Here is cool video that helps to explain exactly what happens to water at certain temperatures.

Ep. 252: The Worst Icing You can Get in an Airplane | SLD - YouTube

 

Reference

Environmental factors affecting loss of control in-flight ... IATA.org/publishing. (2016). Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://flightsafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/IATA-guidance-loci-environmental-factors-affecting-loci-1st-edition.pdf