Which of the following are types of icing?

Icing in aviation refers to the accumulation of ice on aircraft surfaces, which can significantly impact performance and safety. The correct answer identifies the primary classifications of icing that are important to pilots and dispatchers.

Rime, clear, and mixed icing are the three main types based on how they form and their physical characteristics.

Rime icing occurs when small, supercooled water droplets freeze upon contact with the aircraft's surface, forming a rough surface of opaque white ice. This typically happens in low temperatures and where there are small water droplets present in the clouds.

Clear icing, on the other hand, is formed by larger supercooled droplets that freeze more slowly, creating a more transparent and heavier accumulation of ice. This type of icing can form in conditions where the temperature is above freezing and when the aircraft is flying through clouds or precipitation.

Mixed icing contains characteristics of both rime and clear icing, arising from a combination of small and large supercooled droplets. It typically appears in various atmospheric conditions and can create a unpredictable ice formation pattern.

Understanding these types of icing is crucial for flight safety, as each type affects aircraft performance differently and requires specific measures to manage or mitigate the risks associated with flying in icing conditions.