Ready For A Chill?

For those of us who have "hit the boots" (or the equivalent system on your favorite bird) a few times in the last few days due to the ever-present seasonal 'charms' of in-flight icing, we thought a series of short tips form Cirrus Design's Scott Winter (yes, that IS his real name) might help us all to consider some of the realities of this time of year. So... here is the second of seven tips for dealing with icing. Y'all be careful out there!

Icing Aero-Tip #2

If you inadvertently enter icing conditions, your primary responsibility is to maintain control of the aircraft. Activate all anti-icing and de-icing equipment. If equipped, turn cabin heat on full defrost, turn on the pitot-heat, and activate the alternate induction air. Communicate the state of your situation to air traffic control. Clearly state the urgency of your situation.

Accidents have happened because the pilot did not effectively convey their intentions and assistance needed in icing conditions. When requesting altitude changes, advise ATC that you will accept a heading or course change to expedite the altitude change. This may help ATC get your altitude change even if there is other traffic around.

Once in icing conditions, there are six possible outs available to you: climb, descend, continue, divert, return, or declare an emergency. Pilots should evaluate their route of flight, alternate airports enroute, and all weather resources prior to departing to confirm outs available. Once icing is encountered is not the correct time to begin evaluating available outs. Be proactive in your flight planning. It will increase flight effectiveness and ensure that you do not back yourself into a position with no escape methods left to exit icing conditions. Some possible ideas are to fly VFR underneath ice containing clouds, remain in VFR conditions on top of iced up clouds, or even land short and rent a car to continue onto your destination.

About Scott Winter

At the time that this series was authored, Scott was a member of the Flight Standards Department at Cirrus Design Corporation in Duluth, MN (one of those places that see more than its fair share of icing encounters). Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, he discovered his passion for aviation at an early age. After obtaining his Private Pilot Certificate prior to his senior year in high school, he attended Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) and graduated with a Bachelor's degree majoring in Professional Flight. In December 2006, he completed his Master's of Science degree from MSU spending time focusing on aviation weather, scenario-based training, and visualization techniques to enhance the methods used to educate aviators.

Note: ANN thanks Cirrus Pilot William Dobson for the use of the excellent SR20 icing pix...

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com, www.aopa.org/asf/publications/sa11.pdf