Carburetor icing

As carburettor icing (English carburetor icing ) is defined as the deposition of ice in the intake of the carburetor of a gasoline engine. Such deposits affect the operation of the motor. The phenomenon is to give special consideration in the operation of aircraft engines attention.

Genesis and conditions

The change in the aggregate state from liquid to gas - the " gassing " - requires energy that is extracted from the environment in the form of heat, which causes cooling. Therefore, the carburetor icing already at an outside air temperature ( engl. outside air temperature (OAT ) ) occur ° from approximately -5 to 15 C. In addition, a high relative humidity favors the phenomenon.

Risk of carburettor icing

If the carburetor when flying through air layers with appropriate conditions is not warmed, it may lead to carburetor icing. Characterized first one notices a loss of power, on the basis of fat becoming mixture due to the restriction of the suction channel. At the latest at this moment the carburetor heat must be enabled. The pilot will be but often warned by an aircraft used in construction in the carburetor thermometer, in which often the temperature range is marked with the highest risk of carburettor icing. Some aircraft types, often direct injection, equipped with a selector switch to the alternative carburetor air intake ( engl. engine alternate air) can be switched (eg Maule M7 260C ). If such measures are not taken in time, it comes with the greatest probability of engine failure.