19.07.2010

TsAGI issues a manual on icing formation mechanisms

TsAGI issued a unique manual entitled «Influence of various ice imitators’ shapes and sizes on large-scale aircraft model aerodynamic properties.»

This manual addresses a serious concern shared by both Russian and foreign aviation companies.

The experimental data in the manual makes it possible to predict aerodynamic behavior at the initial stages of aircraft design, to make decisions on selecting the type of deicing system and on the most effective installation location on aircraft lift surfaces.

The publication is based on a summary of extensive data from experimental results accumulated during many years of research activity. The main topics are: influence of various ice imitators’ shapes; size and location on large-scaled model lift surfaces of aircraft of various configurations; and propulsion under load. The manual core is composed of data relating to tests of fourteen large-scale aircraft models on a scale of 1:2−1:3, and of twelve aircraft unit models (tail empennage, wing cantilevers and rear section). There are no equivalent tests of this type in Europe of the US, further enhancing the importance of this scientific work.

Aviation companies the world over are faced with the challenge of ice build-up on the leading edge of lift surfaces. This deteriorates the aircraft’s aerodynamic properties and is often a cause of many accidents. The analysis of icing influence on civil aircraft is critical to both flight safety and schedules.