PHAK · Chapter 12: Weather Theory
FAA · Retrieved 2026-09-05
Educational reference; original Owl summariesWEATHER & ATMOSPHERE
Airframe icing
FLIGHT SCIENCE / CONCEPT REFERENCE
SCIENCEConditions & principles
Ice accumulation changes the shape, roughness and sometimes mass of an aircraft.
REFERENCE COVERAGE3 / 3 editorial sections
PROVENANCE1 linked source
LAST RETRIEVED2026-09-05
Editorial section coverage describes the article structure, not scientific validation or completeness.
View missing fields and source dates
Source editions
Retrieval dates record when Owl obtained the data; they are not publication dates or proof that a specification is current. Where the edition contains only a snapshot date, the original publication date is not recorded.
01
Mechanism
Supercooled liquid droplets can freeze on impact. Droplet size, temperature, liquid-water content and surface conditions influence the resulting ice.
02
Aircraft response
Roughness can cause early separation, increase drag and reduce maximum lift. Sensors, propellers and control surfaces may also be affected.
03
Context & interpretation
The aerodynamic penalty is not explained by added weight alone. Certification envelopes and installed protection differ by aircraft; this reference does not establish safe icing exposure.
Sources & context
Educational explanation of physical mechanisms. Aircraft-specific procedures, limitations and current weather information are separate references.