![]() ![]() ![]() From our perspective, one of the questions a pilot should always ask her or himself before departure is whether what I’m about to do will make me look stupid in the NSTB report. Yes, it’s a catch-all regulation that is convenient when a pilot does something dumb, survives and there is not a regulation that specifically covers that version of dumb. The next step in the complying with regulations is 91.13, which prohibits operating an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another. Sometimes the flight manual is clear in prohibiting flight into known icing (FIKI), sometimes it allows it if all of the enumerated systems are operating properly and sometimes it’s confusing as it seems to have some sort of what we’ll call “semi-FIKI” language. When it comes to the legalities of making the takeoff decision, the FAA first points to 91.9-it requires that the pilot comply with the limitations set out in the Airplane Flight Manual, markings and placards. It has gone through a number of iterations in how it looks at what is “known icing,” what equipment is required to fly in it and what pilots need to do to make a mature, responsible pilot in command decision regarding flight into areas of the sky where there is a risk of collecting ice on the airplane. The FAA knows that it’s not realistic to compel pilots to park their airplanes any time there are clouds in the sky in the winter months. For we in the bug-smasher set, the legality of flying in icing conditions is more nuanced than an outright prohibition. Step three, no, it’s not time to do a couple of handsprings for joy, fire up your air machine and go out hunting for ice thinking that you aren’t at risk of getting busted. However, it only applies to “Large and Turbine-Powered Multiengine Airplanes and Fractional Ownership Program Aircraft.” Step two, a section of FAR Part 91-specifically 91.527-does have the above prohibitions. However, Part 91 applicable to little airplanes does not explicitly prohibit it. First, we think that flying in known icing conditions in an airplane without de-icing equipment and/or not clearing all ice, snow and frost off of the airplane prior to takeoff ranges from just plain foolish to acting on a death wish. This is going to get a bit involved, so be patient as we take it step by step. To start with, there’s no FAR specifically prohibiting flying those airplanes into known icing conditions or clearing all of the ice, snow and frost off of the wings prior to takeoff. Let’s get this rolling by disputing what “everybody knows” when it comes to flying in icing conditions in general aviation airplanes that weigh less than 12,500 pounds. ![]()
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