The Effects of Tailplane Ice Accretion on Flight Stability of Commuter Category Aircraft for High Terrain Remote Areas Flight Operation

Abstract

The effect of ice accretion on the surface of the horizontal tail on aerodynamic characteristics and stability of commuter category aircraft is reviewed using predicted ice shapes and polar predictions using CFD software. Ice accretion prediction is carried out in various atmospheric conditions already listed in Appendix C FAR25 within remote high terrain flight operation condition. The predicted results of ice shapes are categorized according to the main shapes which will then be simulated using XFOIL. The resulting polar data then combined with data obtained from wind tunnel test to give lift coefficient predictions and the overall moment of the aircraft at zero flap condition. The most severe impact of ice accretion on the surface of the horizontal tail is found in the decreasing values of stalling angle of attack and maximum lift coefficient due to flow separation, with stalling angle of attack and maximum lift coefficient as low as 9.54 degrees and 0.765. The most visible decrease in static longitudinal stability and the static margin point are 6.88% and 6.34% from the normal condition.