Advancing icing detection

Engineers are working to develop a capability to detect icing conditions ahead of aircraft using onboard or ground-based remote sensing systems.

Remote sensing of in-flight icing conditions is analogous to current thunderstorm radar for improving an aircraft's ability to avoid or exit weather hazardous to safe flight. Ground-based radars as well as airborne weather radar help aircraft avoid thunderstorms. Although no equivalent system exists for in-flight icing, cooperative technology development among U.S. government agencies is under way to provide some of this capability.

Engineers envision an icing remote sensing system linked to an international aviation weather information system and capable of tracking icing conditions and relaying that information to flight crews, dispatchers, and air traffic controllers. With this information, flight-path modification can be performed for all aircraft types in all phases of flight including planning, strategic rerouting, and tactical avoidance. This capability will reduce accidents and increase aircraft use.