High Ice Water Content (HIWC) Flight Research

The HIWC flight research addresses turbofan engine power-loss and damage events attributed to the ingestion of high concentrations of ice crystals.  Since 2009, NASA has worked with the international community to better characterize the atmospheric conditions associated with this hazard.  As part of this effort, NASA has led 3 major flight campaigns utilizing its DC-8 aircraft, which was instrumented with icing cloud instruments and flown at high altitudes through deep convective clouds. In addition, NASA supported 2 international flight test campaigns led by other entities. The data has been used to assess the conditions for new safety certification standards set forth to ensure future aircraft address the ice crystal icing hazard.