Aircraft icing

[Crumpp]

As has already been pointed out, you need moisture to form ice. Stay out of the clouds and you are fine.

Icing is more of a low level to mid-level issue unless we have significant vertical development in our cloud structure.

The most dangerous is freezing rain as an aircraft will accumulate ice very quickly.

http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/sa11.pdf

Flying your airplane through hail is a great way to not have an airplane anymore.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/Jef...l?entrynum=586



Carburetor icing is very common in aircraft and can occur even in much warmer weather.

The pilot should be aware that carburetor icing
can occur at temperatures between -7°C (20°F) and +21
°C (70°F) when there is visible moisture or high
humidity.

Although the German direct injection engines are are much more robust in resisting icing, this was a very real issue with the GM-1 system.

Even without injecting an oxidizer or ADI into the intake, even direct injection can experience induction icing.

Fuel injection systems are less susceptible to
icing than the carburetor system. Ice, which can partially
or totally block the air from entering the engine, forms
on the air intake of the engine. The usual indication of
icing in a fuel injection system is the same as in a
carburetor system. An alternate air source located inside
the engine cowling is used to provide air to the engine to
continue combustion.

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/list/AC%2091-51A/$FILE/AC91-51A.pdf