AIRA - Aircraft Icing Research Alliance

Priority AIRA Research Focus Areas (RFA)

The following is the Priority list of Research Focus Areas (RFA). You may view the complete list here.

Icing Conditions Research Focus Area Description Value
High Water Ice Content (HIWC) Icing of Primary Aircraft Measurement Systems Icing of operational/ commercial aircraft data systems /probes in ice crystals Used to understand the impacts and develop engineering solutions.
High Ice Water Content (HIWC) Engine Icing Engine compressor core icing from HIWC environment Used to understand the impacts and develop engineering solutions.
High ice water content (HIWC) characterization Characterizing Appendix D through measurement with advanced research instruments. Used to understand the conditions suitable for developing certification standards and requirements.
Forecasting of High Ice Water Content Conditions Development of forecast methods which may include NWP and the use of remote sensing observations (primarily ground and satellite based); development of conceptual models. For transfer to operational detection and prediction forecasting programs.
Supercooled Large Droplets (SLD) Aircraft Performance and Handling Qualities in Icing: Appendix C, SLD, ZR (particle size, liquid/total water content, temperature) Ice accretion effects on aircraft (protected and unprotected surfaces) Reduce exposure to aircraft upset from icing conditions
HIWC and SLD Instrumentation standards for in-flight icing research, tunnel measurements, test techniques, analysis methods and certification flight test Used for standardization of measuring devices across different programs. Increased confidence in observations for application to certification standard, test conditions, etc.
Advanced simulator capabilities for calibration, development and evaluation (large droplet, low liquid water, small droplet, ice particles) Used for testing instruments and operational aircraft probes/ systems in all types of icing environments. Used to understand the impacts and develop engineering solutions.
Characterization Instrumentation Improvement Total water and total ice water content probes, ice particle size/distribution and extinction probe developments. Increased confidence in observations for application to certification, test conditions, etc.
Remote sensing systems for detecting cloud properties Development and interpretation of ground, satellite and airborne-based remote sensing observation of cloud properties To support the operational detection and prediction programs.
Flight crew awareness and decision making in icing conditions Improve pilot icing training materials to support Crew Resource Management (CRM) and better decision making. Improve safety for flight in adverse weather conditions.
Scaling Scaling for the HIWC and SLD icing Used to develop improved engineering and validation solutions
SLD, Appendix C and Ground Nowcasting development and validation Continued development and application of advanced nowcasting systems for both ground and in-flight applications Improve safety for flight in adverse weather conditions.
CFD Tools: Development, validation, intercomparisons and establishment of standards Development of ice accretion models (heat transfer, roughness, and ice growth) and ice shape validation for both 2D and 3D applications Used to develop improved engineering standards.
Fluid integrity detection system Determination of anti-icing fluid breakdown and capabilities to measure onset of breakdown; development of criteria for various icing scenarios Improve safety for take off in adverse weather conditions.