May Allow Future Takeoffs In Ice-Pellet Storms

You don't want to mess with icing... although the FAA wonders if regulations restricting airline takeoffs during ice-pellet storms might be tweaked a bit. In response to complaints from carriers in the wake of several grounded flights this past winter season, the FAA said this week it will consider easing those regulations.

Jim Ballough, the FAA's Flight Standards Director, said the agency will research "to see if we can in fact provide additional allowance" in the future, reports Bloomberg.

The news comes less than two years after the FAA stated flights shouldn't take off in ice-pellet conditions, as those pellets can remain frozen in glycol deicing mixtures. The worry is the frozen pellets won't be shed from the wing, and may remain attached during takeoff, robbing a plane's wings of lift.

In response to airline complaints, the FAA relaxed its standards once before -- when last year, it said airliners could take off in such conditions within 25 minutes after being deiced. Recent incidents in the northeastern US involving JetBlue, US Airways, and planes flying for several foreign carriers may mean even that standard might be too restrictive.

"We have airports that are closing and closing longer" due to icing regulations, US Airways President Scott Kirby said.

In counterpoint, JetBlue CEO David Neeleman expressed reservations to changing the icing rule. "We're not sure if it's the thing to do," he told Bloomberg, though he also added there may be a "middle ground" solution to keep all parties happy, and safe.

"We're very well aware that the airlines have expressed concerns about this," FAA Administrator Marion Blakey said. "On the other hand, the FAA's top priority is safety. Icing can be one of the most perilous things."

FMI: www.faa.gov