00:00As winter flying season kicks off, there's a hidden hazard pilots take seriously.
00:04Ice on airplane wings.
00:06Even a thin layer can change how a wing slices through the air.
00:09That cuts lift.
00:11The force that keeps a plane up.
00:12It also adds drag, so the plane has to fly faster to stay aloft.
00:17Ice can also throw off sensors, flight controls, and engine performance.
00:21Supercooled droplets and clouds stay liquid below freezing.
00:24When they hit a plane, they freeze instantly.
00:27That means icing can happen thousands of feet up, even when it's mild on the ground.
00:32Clear ice is the biggest threat because it spreads out as a smooth sheet.
00:36On the ground, crews spray planes with heated deasing fluid.
00:39Sometimes they add anti-icing fluid to stop new ice before takeoff.
00:43That's why winter departures can come with a short wait.
00:46It's a delay worth taking.
00:48Disclosure.
00:49This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
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