Icing
Severe Drag Penalties
Aerodynamic Impact
Ice accumulation multiplies parasite drag through three compounding mechanisms that degrade the takeoff performance envelope.
Cause 01
Friction Coefficient Spike
Ice texture massively increases surface friction across the upper wing, raising the skin-friction component of total drag along the entire airfoil.
Cause 02
Pressure Drag
The altered wing profile creates a low-pressure wake that physically drags the aircraft backward, compounding the form-drag penalty.
Cause 03
Deficient Acceleration
High drag restricts the aircraft's ability to accelerate to rotation speed (VR) before the runway end, eroding the takeoff safety margin.