Question about Humidity

[LFGuard10]

I haven't started my training yet, but I am curious about a specific topic......Could someone tell me about humidity? Could you give me a scenario in which you decide to fly or not, because of possible blade icing? I know that your altitide, temperature, and other factors must be considered. Basically, what I am asking is, when how much humidity is "too humid"?

[RockyMountainPilot]

I haven't started my training yet, but I am curious about a specific topic......Could someone tell me about humidity? Could you give me a scenario in which you decide to fly or not, because of possible blade icing? I know that your altitide, temperature, and other factors must be considered. Basically, what I am asking is, when how much humidity is "too humid"?

 

When it is so humid that you can see the water in the air. Blade ice won't form in clear air. There has to be visible moisture. Mist, clouds, fog, snow, etc. All can give you blade icing if the temps are right.

Edited February 7, 2008 by RockyMountainPilot

[LFGuard10]

When it is so humid that you can see the water in the air. Blade ice won't form in clear air. There has to be visible moisture. Mist, clouds, fog, snow, etc. All can give you blade icing if the temps are right.

 

 

 

If you have temps above freezing, and visible moisture in the air, how is that going to affect performance, if any? Also, basically, if you have atleast near-freezing temps and visible moisture, it's pretty much a no-go, due to the blade icing? Sorry to sound like a dummy lol, but I'm just makin' sure I have it all right. Thanks for the info

[helonorth]

Humidity affects performance, but to a small degree, whether the moisture is visible or not.

Icing is another subject. Flying into visible moisture in below freezing temps can lead to icing on

all surfaces, not just blades. Flying into "known icing" conditions is prohibited on almost all

helicopters, except some flying offshore in the North Sea, as far as I know. No offense, but

you are getting a little ahead of yourself. There maybe some helicopter pilots on this forum

that have experience with icing (I have none). If you do not get the answers you seek here,

try www.pprune.org.

[LFGuard10]

Ok thanks. I just hear about humidity and icing a lot on forums, etc., and I'm just tryin' to get a little understanding about it. Thanks again.

[Gomer Pylot]

There is too much humidity when it restricts visibility. Temperature is a completely different subject. You don't get icing just because of humidity, the temperature has to be near or below freezing to get icing. Humidity is only one of many weather factors.