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Old 8th December 2005 | 12:49
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Mzee
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 109
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From: UK
On a critical wing, eg Challenger, any contamination, on and behind the leading edge, of anything worse than quarter mm (fine sandpaper) can reduce lift by up to 50%. That includes bugs and sand as well as ice.
Keep it clean before flight.

Be aware of supercooled droplet icing, it's dangerous stuff and a number of manufacturers have issued Flight Manual amendments as a LIMITATION that if encountered you must depart it toute suite - how do you know you're in it? big clue when side windows start to ice over!
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