What component of the aircraft instrumentation detects icing conditions?

Ice detectors or sensors are specifically designed to identify the presence of ice on the aircraft's surfaces and in the surrounding atmosphere. These devices monitor conditions that indicate the likelihood of ice formation, such as freezing rain, frost, or supercooled water droplets, which pose a significant threat during flight as they can negatively affect the aircraft's performance and safety.

While speed sensors, temperature gauges, and humidity monitors provide valuable information about the aircraft's operational environment, they do not directly detect icing conditions. Speed sensors measure the aircraft's velocity, temperature gauges indicate the ambient or surface temperature, and humidity monitors assess moisture levels in the air. However, it is the ice detectors that evaluate these conditions specifically in relation to the potential for ice accumulation, making them crucial for ensuring safe flight operations in adverse weather scenarios.