FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)Flight Planning and PerformanceEasy
A dispatcher receives a PIREP of moderate rime icing along the route. From a performance standpoint, what is the primary effect of airframe ice accumulation on an aircraft in flight?
- ADecreased stall speed and increased lift
- BNo change to stall speed but increased range
- CIncreased stall speed and decreased lift
- DDecreased drag and increased fuel efficiency
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Increased stall speed and decreased lift
Ice accumulation disrupts smooth airflow over the wing, reducing the maximum lift coefficient and increasing stall speed, while also increasing drag and reducing overall aircraft performance.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Icing decreases, not increases, lift.
- B. Icing significantly changes stall speed and reduces range due to added drag.
- D. Icing increases drag, reducing fuel efficiency, not improving it.
Icing Effects on Performance
Airframe icing disrupts airflow, increasing stall speed, decreasing lift, increasing drag, and degrading overall aircraft performance and controllability.
- Increases stall speed
- Decreases maximum lift coefficient
- Increases drag and reduces climb performance
Memory trick: 'Ice steals lift and adds weight to the wing's job.'