The heat transfer characteristics of aircraft icing process were investigated based on the theories of liquid-solid phase change and film flow. The heat transfer model which couples runback water flow with liquid-solid phase change was established and the influence of airflow parameters on the characteristics of icing growth was analyzed. The results indicate that the runback water on the icing surface will accelerate the liquid-solid phase change and the icing process. The shear stress caused by the airflow is the key factor to the runback water flow. The higher the airflow velocity, the greater the shear stress and stronger the runback water flow. Under the condition of runback water flow, the velocity and temperature of the airflow are the main causes effecting on the icing accretion. The higher the airflow velocity or the lower the temperature is, the greater the icing rate will be. The liquid water content (LWC) and the collection efficiency have weak effect on the icing rate comparatively. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.