Pilots also pass along pilot reports. Pilots in the air can measure the build-up of ice and can move higher or lower in the air to avoid areas where ice formation is heavy. They then pass this information along to other pilots in the air and on the ground. Ice build-up on airplanes causes problems in three areas, Kennedy said. Ice will change the aerodynamics of the wing, which is what is used to get the air to lift the plane off the ground.
Ice can increase the weight of the plane quite significantly if it blankets the entire plane.
Also, the normally smooth texture of the wing is altered by the rough texture of ice, disrupting the air flow around the wing. Kennedy said planes are usually de-iced within 30 minutes of an airplane's takeoff. In some cases there is a unit at the end of the runway to de-ice planes moments before takeoff, he said. Once the planes are in the air, there are other multiple methods used to keep ice from forming on the plane. This method is similar to what we do when we put chemicals on our car windows to keep ice from forming.