Definition
The accumulation of ice on aircraft surfaces, typically caused by supercooled water droplets striking and freezing on the airframe, propeller, windscreen, or engine components during flight through visible moisture at temperatures at or below freezing. Icing degrades aerodynamic performance, adds weight, disrupts airflow, and can interfere with control surfaces, engine intakes, pitot-static systems, and antennas.
Plain English
Ice forming on the aircraft while flying through cold, moist air. It changes the shape of the wings, adds weight, and can block instruments or controls, making the aircraft harder or unsafe to fly.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter icing in weather reports, forecasts, preflight planning, in-flight weather discussions, and cockpit decisions about whether to enter or leave cold, moist air.
Derivation
From the verb 'to ice,' meaning to coat or cover with ice. The term came into aviation use early in the 20th century as pilots began encountering structural ice during flight in clouds and precipitation.
Why Pilots Care
Ice changes the shape of the wings, reduces lift, increases drag and stall speed, and can lead to loss of control if not addressed.
Analogy
Like frost forming on a car windshield in freezing rain, except the ice forms on the wings and tail and directly affects how the airplane handles.
Grounding Statement
Picture flying through cold cloud moisture and having ice start to build on the leading edges of the wings and windshield.
Intuition Check
Do not think of icing as only a winter runway problem or cake frosting. In aviation, icing means ice building up on or in the aircraft, often while flying in cold, moist air.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot diverted to a lower altitude after entering icing conditions in the clouds.
Example Sentence 2
The airplane picked up light icing on the wings and the pilot immediately climbed to a warmer altitude to stop it.