Basically... Don't Do It, OK?

If you want to polish frost on your plane instead of removing it... the FAA has clarified its position on that procedure.

All new pilots learn contamination of any kind on a wing or control surface is hazardous, and that includes frost or ice. Many pilots may not know, however, that current FAA regulations allow pilots -- even part 135 operators -- to polish frost to a smooth surface prior to take off as an alternative to removing it.

The theory is the resulting smooth surface will not disturb airflow over the wings -- thus affecting lift -- like the rough texture of frost can.

A new Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO), however, says operators can't polish frost, unless an aircraft manufacturer has explicit procedures for doing so. (Incidentally... few manufacturers still recommend doing that; most say any foreign material on the wings should be removed completely prior to takeoff -- Ed.)

Usually, a SAFO is directed at commercial operators, and isn't mandatory. But the language in this one suggests a tweak in the regs may be on the horizon, as well.

After all... if you have time to polish the frost, you should have time to remove it.

FMI: Read The SAFO (.pdf)