Method and apparatus for detecting icing conditions for an aircraft

A method for detecting presence of icing conditions for an aircraft;

• the method comprising:
• (a) determining whether said aircraft is airborne;
• (b) if said aircraft is airborne, in no particular order:
• (1) measuring altitude substantially adjacent said aircraft to obtain an altitude value;
• and
• (2) measuring ambient temperature substantially adjacent said aircraft to obtain an ambient temperature value;
• (c) employing said altitude value and said ambient temperature value to determine whether said aircraft is operating within a defined zone;
• said defined zone being a zone of non-detection in which ice may form on aircraft surfaces but may not form on an ice detector;
• (d) if said aircraft is operating within said defined zone, observing elapsed time during which said aircraft is operating within said defined zone;
• (e) if said aircraft has operated within said defined zone for a predetermined elapsed time-in-zone, in no particular order:
• (1) displaying an alert message for a user to indicate a likelihood of presence of icing conditions;
• and
• (2) activating at least one anti-icing system installed with said aircraft.

An apparatus for detecting presence of icing conditions for an airborne aircraft operating within a zone;

• said zone being defined using altitude and ambient temperature;
• the apparatus comprising:
• (a) a first measuring unit for measuring said altitude substantially adjacent said aircraft to obtain an altitude value;
• (b) a second measuring unit for measuring said ambient temperature substantially adjacent said aircraft to obtain an ambient temperature value;
• (c) a control unit coupled with said first measuring unit and coupled with said second measuring unit;
• said control unit employing said altitude value and said ambient temperature value to determine whether said aircraft is operating within said zone;
• (d) a timing unit coupled with said control unit;
• said timing recording elapsed time during which said aircraft is operating within said zone;
• and
• (e) a display unit coupled with said control unit;
• said display unit displaying an alert message for a user to indicate a likelihood of presence of icing conditions when said aircraft has operated within said zone for a predetermined elapsed time-in-zone;
• said control unit effecting activation of at least one anti-icing system installed with said aircraft when said aircraft has operated within said zone for a predetermined elapsed time-in-zone.