What is a common result of disrupted airflow due to icing?

Disrupted airflow due to icing leads to a variety of aerodynamic issues, one of the most significant being reduced control effectiveness. When ice accumulates on the wings, control surfaces, or other parts of the aircraft, it alters the smooth flow of air that is essential for maintaining stable and effective flight control. Ice can create turbulence and additional drag, causing the pilot to exert more force when trying to maneuver the aircraft. As a result, the effectiveness of the ailerons, elevators, and rudders can be compromised, making it more challenging to maintain the desired flight path and respond to pilot inputs.

This situation contrasts sharply with increased lift efficiency or enhanced glide ratio, which would imply an improvement in the aircraft's performance characteristics. Additionally, improved fuel burn rate would suggest a benefit resulting from icing, which is not the case; rather, the added drag typically leads to increased fuel consumption. Understanding the impact of icing is crucial for safe flight operations, especially in adverse weather conditions.