Definition
Ice that accumulates on a protected surface of an aircraft between cycles of a de-icing system. De-icing systems, such as pneumatic boots, do not run continuously; they activate periodically to shed ice that has built up since the last activation. The ice that forms and remains on the surface during the interval between those activations is intercycle ice.
Plain English
Ice that builds up on the wing or tail in the gap between each automatic ice-removal action. The system waits, lets a thin layer form, then knocks it off, then waits again. The ice sitting there during the waiting period is intercycle ice.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of aircraft icing and deicing boot operation.
Derivation
Inter- comes from Latin meaning 'between.' A cycle is one complete round of an action. So intercycle ice is literally the ice that exists 'between cycles' of the de-icing system.
Why Pilots Care
Accumulated intercycle ice increases drag and can reduce lift if not shed on schedule.
Grounding Statement
If the boots remove ice every few minutes, the ice that builds up during those minutes is intercycle ice.
Intuition Check
Intercycle ice is not a separate type of ice like clear ice or rime ice. It describes when the ice is present: between deicing cycles.
Example Sentence 1
The aircraft is certified to operate safely with the small amount of intercycle ice that forms between boot inflations.
Example Sentence 2
Shorter boot cycle times help limit the thickness of intercycle ice in continuous icing.