Integrated Icing Diagnostic Algorithm assessment at regional airlines

Aircraft icing is a major aviation safety hazard and has been linked to numerous aircraft accidents. In an attempt to reduce the hazards to aviation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Weather Research Program (AWRP) has sponsored research and development activities aimed at providing timely and accurate icing detection and forecasts. Utilizing AWRP funding, the Research Applications Program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR/RAP) has combined a number of different techniques into an Integrated Icing Diagnostic Algorithm (IIDA) that makes use of the strengths of individual algorithms while minimizing their respective weaknesses. The IIDA uses gridded data from the Rapid Update Cycle model; GOES-8 satellite imagery; NEXRAD mosaics; and National Weather Service surface observations to produce three-dimensional grids of Icing Potential, Supercooled Large Drop (SLD) Potential, and Icing Type. In order to obtain operational feedback on IIDA, the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center (WJHTC) Communication/Navigation/Surveillance Engineering and Test Division, Weather Branch (ACT-320) conducted an assessment of its use by regional airlines. Dispatchers at Air Wisconsin and Atlantic Coast Airlines participated in the assessment during the 1998-1999 winter season. The assessment focused on the utility and perceived benefit of IIDA, along with suggested enhancements specific to dispatcher use. Feedback was collected via an Internet-based user log, observations, interviews, and an Internet-based questionnaire. Results of the assessment indicated IIDA was useful to airline dispatch operations, and that dispatcher’s felt it was accurate in the identification of in-flight icing conditions.