Ice And Snow

Question 1

Briefly describe the appearance of clear ice (glaze ice) and how it forms on wings in flight.

Answer 1

Clear ice is clear like glass and is a hard, glossy formation. It is produced when water droplets freeze slowly as they move back over the surface of the wing.

Question 2

Briefly describe the appearance of rime ice and how it forms on wings in flight.

Answer 2

Rime ice is a rough, opaque (white) granular formation. It is produced when small water droplets freeze instantly as they hit the surface of the wing.

Question 3

Explain the term ‘mixed ice’ when it forms on a wing.

Answer 3

Mixed ice is a combination of clear ice and rime ice.

Question 4

What happens to the lift when ice forms on a wing?

Answer 4

Lift reduces.

Question 5

What happens to the drag when ice forms on a wing?

Answer 5

Drag increases.

Question 6

What happens to the minimum stalling speed of an aircraft when ice forms on its wings?

Answer 6

The minimum stall speed increases.

Question 7

State three consequences of mixed ice formation on a wing.

Answer 7

1. Lift reduces
2. Drag increases
3. The minimum stall speed increases
4. Weight increases (so more lift required)