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 i...