If you see frost on the wings, what does it mean?

If you see frost on the wings, what does it mean?

• A. No go or de-ice, reduces lift, increases stall speed
• B. Ice forms on engines
• C. Winds are calm
• D. Increases lift

Answer: (A)

Seeing frost on the wings means the wing surface is contaminated, which disrupts the smooth airflow essential for generating lift. Frost creates roughness and can change the wing’s effective shape, causing the boundary layer to separate earlier. That reduces the maximum lift the wing can produce and raises the stall speed, so you’d need to fly faster to avoid stalling. Because of this, the safe action is to not go or to de-ice before attempting takeoff. This isn’t about icing on engines, and frost isn’t a sign of calm winds, nor does it increase lift.

Seeing frost on the wings means the wing surface is contaminated, which disrupts the smooth airflow essential for generating lift. Frost creates roughness and can change the wing’s effective shape, causing the boundary layer to separate earlier. That reduces the maximum lift the wing can produce and raises the stall speed, so you’d need to fly faster to avoid stalling. Because of this, the safe action is to not go or to de-ice before attempting takeoff. This isn’t about icing on engines, and frost isn’t a sign of calm winds, nor does it increase lift.