Structural Icing
What is structural icing?
Structural icing is the accumulation of ice on the exterior surfaces of an aircraft, which adds weight, degrades performance, and creates unpredictable aerodynamic behavior. For it to form, there must be visible moisture in the air and the air must be cooled to 0 °C (32 °F) or colder. It comes in three types—rime, clear, and mixed—and it's a condition that can only get worse, so the pilot must act to prevent further accumulation. Think of it as ice building on the airframe itself (not the engine), and remember the two ingredients: visible moisture plus freezing temperatures.
Also known as: airframe icing, ice accumulation
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