Evaluating the Impacts of In-Flight Icing Hazards

摘要

This study analyzes in-flight icing constraints and air traffic data in order to identify how those constraints translate into Air Traffic Management (ATM) impacts in the National Airspace System (NAS). The analysis includes major safety and efficiency issues NAS users consider when making decisions due to in-flight icing. Data suggest that in-flight icing is a terminal-area constraint with greatest impact when the icing constraint is on or near ground level; above-ground icing constraints can often be mitigated by directing traffic flows to pass under or around the icing constraint to and from terminal airports. Terminal-area icing does not impact en route traffic flow, but it can impact planning when a major airport is restricted by terminal-area icing. Statistical analysis developed in this study indicates that the most significant ATM impacts include delays, cancellations, diversions, airborne circular holding, and decreased airport arrival and departure rates.