R.: A Probability Analysis of the Meteorological Factors Conducive to Aircraft Icing in the United States

Meteorological icing data obtained in flight in the United States are analyzed statistically and methods are developed for the deterrnina-, tion of: (i) the various simultaneous combinations of the three basic icing parameters (liquid-water content, drop diameter, and terperature) which would have equal probability of being exceeded in flight in any random icing encounter; and (2) the probability of exceeding any speci-fied group of values of liquid-water content associated simultaneously with temperature and drop-diameter values lying within specified ranges. The methods are particularly useful in the design of anti-icing equip-ment intended to operate through the United States, to define simulta-neous combinations of the meteorological variables which could be encountered, and to ascertain the effectiveness of the equipment in withstanding the natural icing conditions to which it may be subjected. In addition, a mathematical basis is provided for the future statistical analysis of meteorological icing data that might be obtained throughout the world