Which variable does NOT influence ice accumulation on an aircraft?

Ice accumulation on an aircraft is primarily influenced by several factors related to the physical environment and aircraft design. While the shape of the airfoil, length of time spent in icing conditions, and type of cloud encountered have direct impacts on the process of ice accumulation, the type of turbulence encountered is not a primary factor.

The shape of the airfoil is crucial because it affects airflow around the wing and, consequently, how moisture in the air interacts with the surface. A larger surface area or an airfoil designed to create more lift may accumulate more ice due to increased surface area where ice can form.

The length of time spent in icing conditions directly correlates with the potential for ice to accumulate. The longer an aircraft remains in these conditions, the more ice can build up due to sustained exposure to supercooled water droplets.

The type of cloud encountered also plays a significant role since different types of clouds can contain varying amounts of supercooled water, which is essential for ice accumulation. For example, cumuliform clouds are often associated with larger droplets compared to stratiform clouds, leading to different icing potential based on the cloud type.

In contrast, while turbulence can affect how an aircraft interacts with the airflow, it does not have a direct influence on the processes that