pilotyip
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 13,629
I think I saw it
Coming out of Pittsburg winter 78 in the L-188. In frezzing rain, the build up was above what the windshield would handle. FE was running the wings and tail heat at maximum cycle, ie do the wings, then do the tail, back to the wings. The hot air kept the wings clean, except where the support structure of the wing did not have heat. When you looked at the wing it was like an x-ray showing all the ribs and stringers behind the leading skin. The inlet scoops on the prop dome where all covered in ice even though the prop dome had continous heat. Climbed out of it and continued out trip. I had had seen a lot ice flying P-3's over the North Atlantic in the winter, but never anything like this. I think I remember in L-188 GS, the instructor said the L-188 was certified for flight in severe icing. But I never saw it in writing.Severe ice is rare. Most guys who say they've seen it are mistaken.