Ice on Wing of A380
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Join Date: Apr 2003
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Ice on Wing of A380
Firstly I apologise if as an interested member of the public I am making a daft comment or observation.
I noted and took a photo of what appeared to be an Ice build ( Frost like in appearance ) up on descent into LHR this week.
I have no idea if this is normal or a potential issue, and i make this comment as I am aware that ice on wings is not a good thing, but am also aware that I am making an assumption that this is ice or could be a potential aerodynamic issue . I noted it started smaller and grew the further into the descent we got.
Happy to be discredited as being uninformed, but thought I should make professionals aware incase it is an issue that has not been noted.
Plane A380, Operator BA.
Ok can't attach image but can send an image to any one if this is of interest.
I noted and took a photo of what appeared to be an Ice build ( Frost like in appearance ) up on descent into LHR this week.
I have no idea if this is normal or a potential issue, and i make this comment as I am aware that ice on wings is not a good thing, but am also aware that I am making an assumption that this is ice or could be a potential aerodynamic issue . I noted it started smaller and grew the further into the descent we got.
Happy to be discredited as being uninformed, but thought I should make professionals aware incase it is an issue that has not been noted.
Plane A380, Operator BA.
Ok can't attach image but can send an image to any one if this is of interest.
Where on the wing? I'm assuming the leading edge which if in icing conditions is completely normal. The wings have anti ice heaters that will clear the leading edge of any ice. The goal is to actually let it build up then turn on the anti ice so it sheds more cleanly. Hopefully not too technical an explanation for you!
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A Perfectly Fair Question
A good and fair question, sir. I don't have a perfect answer for the A380, but THEPRFCTEN (#2 above) responded as well as I could. Minimal 'frost' toward the rear of the wing is of less interest than anything more forward. Please try again to post any images that you may have. I'd like to see them. Thanks.
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I believe you mean the two patches on each wing that form with fuel in the feed line from the feeder tanks. It is due to chilly fuel making that part of the upper wing surface equally chilly. When descending into moist air ice forms. Perfectly normal on the A380. It does not occur near the leading edge.
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When descending into moist air ice forms. Perfectly normal on the A380.
Also on ground the collector cells remain 100% filled with cold soaked fuel, systematically producing patches of frost on the wing during short stopovers in a moist environment. Unfortunately in some countries regulations there is the strict rule "no takeoff with frost on the wings", and some countries do obviously enforce this and send the A380s to de-icing because of the small frost patches, even if this is technically total nonsense. But a rule is a rule
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Also on ground the collector cells remain 100% filled with cold soaked fuel, systematically producing patches of frost on the wing during short stopovers in a moist environment. Unfortunately in some countries regulations there is the strict rule "no takeoff with frost on the wings", and some countries do obviously enforce this and send the A380s to de-icing because of the small frost patches, even if this is technically total nonsense. But a rule is a rule
This looks like a picture of what the OP means.
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I've seen the same thing travelling as a passenger on the A380, a section of ice buildup on both wings approx 3ft x 3ft which goes from the leading edge to the spoilers. Usually starts forming around 10,000 ft and melts by around 6,000. It happens in the same place every time. Photo attached from my flight this morning.
