Aeronautical Terms beginning with I
Impact Ice
Ice that forms on the wings and control surfaces or on the carburetor heat valve, the walls of the air scoop, or the carburetor units during flight. Impact ice collecting on the metering elements of the carburetor may upset fuel metering or stop carburetor fuel flow.
Inclinometer
An instrument consisting of a curved glass tube, housing a glass ball, and damped with a fluid similar to kerosene. It may be used to indicate inclination, as a level, or, as used in the turn indicators, to show the relationship between gravity and centrifugal force in a turn.
Index Point
A location specified by the aircraft manufacturer from which arms used in weight and balance computations are measured. Arms measured from the index point are called index arms.
Induced Drag
That part of total drag which is created by the production of lift. Induced drag increases with a decrease in airspeed.
Induction icing
A type of ice in the induction system that reduces the amount of air available for combustion. The most commonly found induction icing is carburetor icing.
Induction Manifold
The part of the engine that distributes intake air to the cylinders.
Inertia
The opposition which a body offers to a change of motion.
Integral Fuel Tank
A portion of the aircraft structure, usually a wing, which is sealed off and used as a fuel tank. When a wing is used as an integral fuel tank, it is called a “wet wing.”
Intercooler
A device used to reduce the temperature of the compressed air before it enters the fuel metering device. The resulting cooler air has a higher density, which permits the engine to be operated with a higher power setting.
Interference drag
Drag generated by the collision of airstreams creating eddy currents, turbulence, or restrictions to smooth flow.
Internal Combustion Engines
An engine that produces power as a result of expanding hot gases from the combustion of fuel and air within the engine itself. A steam engine where coal is burned to heat up water inside the engine is an example of an external combustion engine.
Inverter
An electrical device that changes DC to AC power.
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