Ice and Rain Protection

* Ice is a flight hazard because it destroys the

smooth air flow across the aircraft's lifting and

control surfaces. Ice on wings and other
surfaces decreases their ability to produce lift,
increases the weight of the aircraft, and
increases induced drag. Removal or prevention
of ice is necessary for an aircraft to be safe to
fly. Rain is a hazard because it affects the
pilot's ability to see clearly.

*INTRODUCTION

*TWO TYPES OF ICE

FORMATION

*CLEAR ICE

* Clear ice forms when the remaining liquid

portion of the water drop flows out over the

aircraft surface, gradually freezing as a smooth
sheet of solid ice. Formation occurs when
droplets are large, such as in rain or in
cumuliform clouds. Clear ice is hard, heavy,
and tenacious. Its removal by deicing
equipment is especially difficult.

*A) CLEAR

*RIME ICE

* Rime ice forms when water 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. The small frozen droplets trap air giving the
ice a white appearance. Rime ice is lighter in weight
than clear ice and its weight is of little significance.
However, its irregular shape and rough surface decrease
the effectiveness of the aerodynamic efficiency of
airfoils, reducing lift and increasing drag. Rime ice is
brittle and more easily removed than clear ice.

*B) RIME

* Frost forms on the surface of non-hangared

aircraft when the temperature of the air drops at

night and moisture is present. If the air is warm,
dew will form, but if the temperature is below
freezing, water will freeze and form tiny crystals
of frost. Frost does not add appreciable weight,
but must be removed before flight. Surprisingly,
frost is a very effective aerodynamic spoiler that
increases the thickness of the boundary layer and
adds a significant amount of drag.

EFFECTS OF ICE

Formation of ice on aircraft leading edge.

1. The resulting malformation

of the airfoil that could
decrease the amount of lift.
2. The additional weight and
unequal formation of the ice
that could cause unbalancing
of the aircraft, making it hard
to control.

*Ice or frost forming on aircraft

creates two basic hazards:

* Ice protection systems should be operated only

when necessary so that operational expenses,
and unnecessary wear can be minimized. By
having some form of ice detection, the
prevention or removal system operates only
when needed. There are visual detection
methods as well as several optical and
electronic methods of ice detection.

*ICE DETECTION

SYSTEMS

* When conditions are favorable for ice formation, flight

crews routinely observe the aircraft structure during

flight for ice buildup. For example, it is easy to look at
the wing leading edge or check the windshield for early
signs of ice accumulation. When flying at night, lights are
necessary to illuminate aircraft structures. FAR 23
requires some form of lighting that is adequate for the
crew to detect ice at night as well as monitor the
operation of the de-icing equipment. Some other form of
detector is required on those portions of the aircraft
where it is not possible for the crew to see. Most often,
some form of electronic detection device is used.

*A) VISUAL DETECTION

* Ice detectors consist of a microprocessor circuit with an

aerodynamic strut and probe extending into the slipstream.

The probe vibrates at a pre-deter-mined frequency and
when ice attaches to the probe, its frequency decreases. A
microprocessor turns on an annunciator light when the
probe reaches a preset minimum frequency value.

* After detecting ice, a heating element within the probe

melts it away and continues to recheck for icing conditions.

As long as the probe continues to sense icing at each
check, the ICE annunciator remains on. The light will go out
when ice is no longer detected.

*B) ELECTRONIC

DETECTION

*Optical detection devices measure ice

thickness on airplane wings and transmit

the measurements to the pilot. One design
produces a measurement range of 15 mm
of ice thickness with a resolution of 15 um.
These units mount flush with the airfoil
without any protrusions, making it suitable
for supersonic flight applications

*C) OPTICAL ICE

DETECTORS

* C/FIMS1M is an aircraft-mounted sensor system developed

by Allied Signal Aerospace of Canada for detecting the

buildup of ice, frost, and snow on the flight surfaces of
airplanes. Strategically located sensors on critical aircraft
surfaces interact with processors and a central control
unit to provide warning information via a flight deck
display. Flush mounted sensors are installed on the
aircraft skin and detect the electromagnetic properties of
the contaminants. The system can also be used to mea
sure the effectiveness of de/anti-icing fluids and the
aircraft's skin temperature.

*D) CONTAMINANT/FLUID

INTEGRITY MEASURING
SYSTEM (C/FIMS)

*Quiz #1

* 1. Formation occurs when droplets are large, such as in rain or in

___________?

* 2. is an aircraft-mounted sensor system developed by Allied

Signal Aerospace of Canada for detecting the buildup of
ice, frost, and snow on the flight surfaces of airplanes.

*3. Ice on wings and other surfaces decreases their ability to

produce lift, increases the weight of the aircraft, and
increases ________?

*4. Its removal by deicing equipment is especially difficult.

* 5. Rime ice is _______ and more easily removed than clear ice.

*Questions

*6. If the air is warm, dew will form, but if the temperature is below
freezing, water will freeze and form _______ of frost.

*7. The system can also be used to measure the effectiveness of

________ fluids and the aircraft's skin temperature.

*8 ______requires some form of lighting that is adequate for the

crew to detect ice at night as well as monitor the operation of the

de-icing equipment.

*
*9.

devices that measure ice thickness on airplane wings and

transmit the measurements to the pilot

*10. As long as the probe continues to sense icing at each check, the

_________ remains on. The light will go out when ice is no longer detected.

*Questions

*Ice or frost forming on

aircraft creates two
basic hazards:

(5pts.)

*Questions:

*1. cumuliform clouds

*2. . C/FIMS1M
*3. induced drag
*4. clear ice
*5. brittle
*6. tiny crystals
*7. de/anti-icing
*8. FAR 23
*9. optical devices
*10. ICE annunciator

*Answer:

* Engine Anti-Ice Protection (Nacelles)

* Wing Anti-Ice
* Flight Deck Window Heat
* Windshield Wipers
* Probe Heats

*ICE AND RAIN

PROTECTION
INCLUDES:

*ANTI-ICING
SYSTEMS

* Onboard anti-icing systems are designed to prevent

ice formation on certain portions of the aircraft.

These are areas most affected by ice build-up, or
where damage would occur if accumulated ice were
to break free. Typically, anti-ice systems serve the
components are around the engine intakes, on loca
tions upstream from the engines, or on components
that would not operate properly if allowed to ice
over.

*ANTI-ICING SYSTEMS

* Several means to prevent or control ice

formation are used in aircraft today:

* 1. Heating surfaces with hot air
* 2. Heating by electrical elements
* 3. Breaking up ice formations, usually by
inflatable boots
* 4. Chemical application

*Ice Prevention

*TYPES OF ANTI-ICING

* Heated air can be directed through specially

designed heater ducts in the leading edges of the

wings and tail surfaces to prevent ice formation.
Combustion heaters or heater shrouds around the
engine exhaust system heat the air in reciprocating
engine aircraft. Hot air is also routed to the carbure
tor when conditions are conducive to carburetor
icing. Combustion heaters are controlled by
thermo-cycling switches that turn off the flow of
fuel when a certain temperature is reached and
turn it back on when the heater has cooled.

*A) THERMAL ANTI-

ICING

Thermal de-icing is accomplished by

directing hot air through a duct in the
leading edge of the wing.

* Aircraft that may possibly encounter icing usually

have electrically heated pitot tubes. Pitot heaters

are so powerful that they should not be operated on
the ground because they may burn out without an
adequate flow of air over them. Their in-flight
operation is monitored by indicator lights or
through the ammeter. Current flow is high enough
that the ammeter will deflect noticeably when the
heater is on. A heated pitot tube prevents ice from
plugging the entry portal.

*B) ELECTRIC ANTI-ICING

The pitot tube and sometimes the

supporting mast are heated electrically to
prevent the formation of ice.

* Some aircraft surfaces and components may be

coated with either isopropyl alcohol, methyl alco

hol, or a mixture of ethylene glycol and alcohol.
Chemicals lower the freezing point of water on the
surface of the aircraft, and at the same time make
the surface too slick for ice to collect upon it.
Chemical anti-icing is normally used on carburetors,
propellers, and windshields and is stored in a tank
on the aircraft.

*C) CHEMICAL ANTI-ICING

The weeping wing system

coats the protected surfaces
with glycol. The system can
both de-ice and provide antiice protection.

* De-icing systems remove the ice after it has formed,

typically by using pneumatic de-icer boots on the leading

edges of the wings and tail. Propeller de-icing normally
uses heating elements to melt the accumulated ice and
the propeller's centrifugal force to remove it.
* Anti-icing systems prevent the formation of ice on the
protected component. However, it may be more effective
on surfaces of slower airplanes to allow the ice to form
and then crack it. The normal airflow over the surface will
naturally carry the ice away. This method also avoids
runback that can form a ridge on the back edge of the
surface, effectively becoming an aerodynamic spoiler.

*DE-ICING SYSTEMS

* Many modern propellers installed on both

reciprocating and turboprop engines are deiced with an electro thermal de-icer system.
Rubber boots with heater wires embedded in
them are bonded to the leading edges of the
propeller blades. Electrical current passes
through the wires to heat the rubber and melt
any ice that has formed, while centrifugal
force and wind carry the ice away

A) ELECTROTHERMAL DE-ICING

* Airline flying was hindered in the early days of

aviation because of aircraft ice accumulation. With

improved instruments and radios, and the intro
duction of higher performance aircraft, flight into
icing conditions could no longer be avoided. To
remove the ice, B.F. Goodrich developed a rubber
de-icer boot that was installed on the leading
edges of the wings and empennage. This allowed
aircraft to fully utilize their improved capabilities.
De-icer boots are used on many aircraft to this day.

B) RUBBER DE-ICER BOOT

SYSTEM

* The Electro-Expulsive Separation System was

developed by NASA and licensed to

Ice Management Systems, Inc. This relatively
lightweight system provides ice protection at
power levels far below those required by bleed
air and electro-thermal systems. It also offers a
reliable alternative to pneumatic or electrical
de-icing boots on wing leading edges, thus
reducing airfoil drag and surface erosion.

C) ELECTRO-EXPULSIVE
SEPARATION SYSTEM

*QUIZ NO: 2

1. Typically, ______ systems serve the components are around

2.
3.
4.
5.

the engine intakes, on locations upstream from the engines,

or on components that would not operate properly if allowed
to ice over?
It was developed by NASA and licensed to Ice
Management Systems, Inc.?
This normally uses heating elements to melt the accumulated
ice and the propeller's centrifugal force to remove it?
It can lower the freezing point of water on the surface of the
aircraft, and at the same time make the surface too slick for
ice to collect upon it?
Combustion heaters are controlled by thermo-_______
switches that turn off the flow of fuel when a certain
temperature is reached and turn it back on when the heater
has cooled.

*QUESTION:

6. Developer of rubber de-icer boots?

7. Rubber boots with heater wires embedded in them are bonded to the ________ of the
propeller blades?
8. The weeping wing system coats the protected surfaces with ______?
9. Electrical current passes through the wires to heat the rubber and melt any ice that has
formed, while centrifugal force and wind carry the ice away?
10. Their in-flight operation is monitored by indicator lights or through the

________?
11. Chemical anti-icing is normally used on carburetors, propellers, and ________
and is stored in a tank on the aircraft?
(12-15.) Several means to prevent or control ice formation are used in aircraft
today:
*

word by word

*QUESTION:

1. anti-ice
2. Electro-Expulsive Separation System
3. Propeller de-icing
4. Chemical anti-icing
5. Cycling
6. B.f. Goodrich
7. leading edges
8. Glycol
9. Electro-thermal de-icing
10.Ammeter
11.Windshields
*.12. Heating surfaces with hot air
*.13. Heating by electrical elements
*.14. Breaking up ice formations, usually by inflatable boots
*.15. Chemical application

*ANSWER: