Flight Meteorological Effects includes icing and volcanic ash effects. Aircraft icing is a serious threat to safety as it destroys the smooth flow of air across surfaces, increases drag, and decreases the ability of the airfoil to create lift. Ice accumulates on every exposed frontal surface of the airplane: wings, propeller, windshield, antennas, vents, intakes, and cowlings.

The FAA's Flight Meteorological Effects expert works to strengthen FAA leadership in research and knowledge of flight meteorological effects, including aircraft icing, ice protection concepts, deicing/anti-icing fluids, essential ground crew training, volcanic ash ingestion, wind, weather, and other meteorological threats to engines, aircraft systems, and overall aviation safety. This expert trains, advises, and collaborates with those from other government agencies, industry, associations, standards development organizations, professional and academic organizations, and international aviation authorities on all issues involving meteorological effects on aviation. 

This technical discipline also covers the threats to aviation safety posed by volcanic ash in the atmosphere. The volcanic ash environment includes both near-field and far-field effects of high-altitude atmospheric ash and other volcanic cloud chemical contaminates on aircraft and engines.

Cris Bosetti is FAA's Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for Flight Meteorological Effects. Mr. Bosetti can be contacted at cris.k.bosetti@faa.gov. 

Aircraft Icing Forum

The Aircraft Icing Forum, hosted jointly by Cris Bosetti (FAA) and Dr. Peter Struk (NASA), provides a recurring monthly space to discuss aircraft icing research, technology, regulation, and related questions and challenges. The purpose of this forum is to provide an opportunity to share information, improve visibility, make connections, and advance the overall approach to aircraft icing knowledge and safety.