Technical Report ERDC/CRREL TR-02-13
Army Aircraft Icing
LINDAMAE PECK, CHARLES C. RYERSON, C. JAMES MARTEL
ABSTRACT
Icing is among aviation's most serious weather hazards because it renders
aircraft unflyable before flight and severely reduces aircraft performance within
flight. Army aviation is vulnerable to icing, which occurs most frequently at
lower altitudes, and which generally has the greatest impact upon small fixed-
wing aircraft and helicopters that fly slowly and low. Icing causes mission delays
during ground deicing of aircraft and mission cancellations and abortions because
of forecast or actual in-flight icing. The common notion, however, is that icing is
"not a problem" for Army aviators because they generally "do not fly in icing."
This report assesses the effects of icing, both before and during flight, on the
ability of Army aviators to accomplish their mission. Interviews with aviation
commands, surveys to aviation commands worldwide, and assessment of Army
aviation safety records demonstrate the affect of icing and snow on Army
aviation.
SUBJECT TERMS
Aviation, deicing, forecast, helicopters, icing, inflight, preflight, mission,
safety, snow
Sponsor's Report No.:
Prepared for
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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