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.