Title:
The Perils of Flight Into Icing Conditions!
Topic:
Preflight Planning is the Key to Avoiding an Icing Encounter; Icing Countermeasures
Speaker(s):
David Parkins
Brief Description:
Ice in flight is bad news. It destroys the smooth flow of air, increasing drag while decreasing the ability of the airfoil to create lift. The actual weight of ice on an airplane is insignificant when compared to the airflow disruption it causes. Featured speaker David Parkins (AKA the "ice man") will discuss why flight in those freezing clouds is inadvisable and how to escape if you are caught there by surprise. Don't miss this unique opportunity!
Location of Seminar:
East Hill Flying Club: Airport Administration Building
72 Brown Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
Directions to Venue:
Please see "Additional Event Information".
View Map
Fly-in Seminar?:
Yes KITH
Seating:
46
seats at the facility,
19
remaining for online registration.
Registration Information:
Seminar has passed.
Sponsoring Division:
The FAA Safety Team
Additional Event Information & Acknowledgement of Industry Sponsor(s):
Every year pilots either injure or seriously scare themselves by venturing into icing conditions. Our area of the country is the worst for these conditions (just east of those large lakes)! Did you know that statistics indicate that airframe icing leads to an unsuccessful landing? Attend this informative briefing and learn how you can increase your chances of a safe landing following an inadvertent encounter with in-flight icing.
Ice in flight is bad news. It destroys the smooth flow of air, increasing drag while decreasing the ability of the airfoil to create lift. The actual weight of ice on an airplane is insignificant when compared to the airflow disruption it causes. As power is added to compensate for the additional drag and the nose is lifted to maintain altitude, the angle of attack is increased, allowing the underside of the wings and fuselage to accumulate additional ice. Ice accumulates on every exposed frontal surface of the airplane—not just on the wings, propeller, and windshield, but also on the antennas, vents, intakes, and cowlings. It builds in flight where no heat or boots can reach it. It can cause antennas to vibrate so severely that they break. In moderate to severe conditions, a light aircraft can become so iced up that continued flight is impossible. The airplane may stall at much higher speeds and lower angles of attack than normal. It can roll or pitch uncontrollably, and recovery might be impossible.
Ice can distort the flow of air over the wing, diminishing the wing’s maximum lift, reducing the angle of attack for maximum lift, adversely affecting airplane handling qualities, and significantly increasing drag. Wind tunnel and flight tests have shown that frost, snow, and ice accumulations (on the leading edge or upper surface of the wing) no thicker or rougher than a piece of coarse sandpaper can reduce lift by 30 percent and increase drag up to 40 percent. Larger accretions can reduce lift even more and can increase drag by 80 percent or more. Even aircraft equipped for flight into icing conditions are significantly affected by ice accumulation on the unprotected areas. A NASA study (NASA TM83564) showed that close to 30 percent of the total drag associated with an ice encounter remained after all the protected surfaces were cleared. Nonprotected surfaces may include antennas, flap hinges, control horns, fuselage frontal area, windshield wipers, wing struts, fixed landing gear, etc.
Featured speaker David Parkins (FAA Designated Engineering Representative; DER) has been testing and advising airframe icing for 20 years and brings a wealth of real flight knowledge to this seminar. In addition to being an icing researcher he is an active instrument-rated pilot who owns and flies a Cherokee Six out of Ithaca. Bring your questions and learn how to fly safely all winter.
Directions: Follow State Route 13 North from Ithaca under 2 overpasses to the top of the hill. The next light is Warren Road, turn left then your first right (about .5 mile) is Brown Road. Go straight to the red brick building with the airport beacon on the roof (this is the airport administration building).
Equal Access Information:
The FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) is committed to providing equal access to this meeting/event for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, please communicate your request as soon as possible with the person in the “Contact Information” area of the meeting/event notice. Note that two weeks is usually required to arrange services.
Credit Applicability:
1 Credit for Basic Knowledge Topic 3
FAASTeam Project Information:
IS-M-APL-0
National Project:
Approach and Landings
Additional Event Documents: