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ERDC/CRREL TR-02-13
b. Number of days per month with in-flight icing forecast or reported.
In Germany in-flight icing, forecast or reported, is more of a problem for
aviation operations than ice or snow precipitation events, in that in-flight icing
conditions exist or are forecast for as many as 2631 days per month (Table 10),
vs. 1318 days maximum for snow and ice precipitation events. Similarly,
weather support for aviation units at Fort Campbell, Fort Sheridan, Fort Belvoir,
and Fort Eustis, and the Indiana National Guard unit all report more days (maxi-
mum) with potential in-flight icing than days with snow or ice precipitation
events.
In Korea in midwinter the number of days of actual or forecast in-flight icing
ranges from few (13) to many (1318) depending on location. The majority of
units would have at least fourseven days when in-flight icing is a consideration,
whereas onethree days of snow or ice precipitation events are likely.
At Fort Wainwright, in-flight icing events and snow or ice precipitation
events are equally numerous through midwinter. Only in February, March, and
April are days with in-flight icing likely to be more numerous.
The reports for Fort Drum differ appreciably, but both precipitation events
(snow, ice) and in-flight icing can be as numerous as 1925 days per month in
midwinter.
In comparing the impacts of in-flight and ground icing on aviation opera-
tions, it is not only a greater number of days with potential for in-flight icing that
makes that condition more detrimental. Another factor is that hangaring aircraft
greatly reduces the impact of snow and ice events on a unit's flight schedule by
minimizing or eliminating the time-consuming need to deice aircraft. There is no
comparable "facility fix" for in-flight icing. If the predicted or encountered icing
conditions exceed the rating of the aircraft, then the crew has no choice but to
reroute or abort the flight. Aircraft are more likely to be grounded by a forecast
of icing conditions than they are by ground icing (the aftermath of snow or ice
events), especially at locations where the aircraft can be hangared in advance of
snow and ice events.
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