ATR in ice?

[tsky]

I was wondering if there was anyone out there who has experience flying the ATR in ice. I fly for a carrier that is aquireing ATRs and it seems to have a bad rap from the iceing accident awhile back. Any info. or tips are appreciated.


-Thanks

 

[igneousy2]

Read "Unheeded Warning"...it's by an ex-Eagle pilot who's buddy died at Roslawn. Very Chilling even if only half of it ends up being true. I forget the author's name but I'm sure it's available at your library or Amazon.com


Later

 

[Beerme]

I was the last person to fly with the Cpt of the Roselawn accident before the crash. I flew with him the entire month of October...he picked up the trip on the 31st. Hence, I went thru numerous interviews with NTSB, FAA, Union, Company, etc... We were being trained to fly the ATR in a certain configuration below a certain speed...the Cpt of the Roselawn accident was doing what he was trained...unfortunately, in this case it caused unwanted ice build-up on wing behind the de-ice boot. AMR changed their training after the accident, and the wing anti-ice boot was extended further aft. No problems since that I've heard.

 

[Frank Bama]

I have flown the ATR in ice for two midwestern winters and can say that it does just fine. It has one of the nicest de-icing systems of any turboprop. The bad rap in ice is not deserved. The Roselawn crash, although tragic, was more of an Eagle training problem. I do agree with Beerme in that respect. As for the airplane, the de-ice boot was increased to stretch further back on the wing. This is suppose to stop excessive ice from building up behind the boot, and in front of the aileron hinges.

I had a lot of fun flying the ATR, it was one really nice flying airplane.

 

[Slave2theGrind]

Didn't Eagle receive some 212A's from ATR because of the accident??

 

[sweeper]

yes, I think Eagle got all of the 212A's in the settlement. I flew the ATR in ORD and DFW and I believe that the stigma of Roselawn is now unwarranted. ATR made the necassary changes, and the only problems I had heard of were crews getting too slow in the climb while accumulating ice, but then again that would be bad in any airplane.

 

[711-24-7]

I have been flying ATR's in Ice lately. And so far I haven't had any problems. The best thing about the de-icing system is the boots on the wings are vertical now instead of horizontal like most of the prop planes. And the best thing ATR did was install the Ice Evidence Probe on the captain side of the window which is not heated so as long as the ice is on it and you are in icing condition keep the de-icing system working.

 

[atrdriver]

As long as you operate the anti ice and de-ice systems as tehy are designed, and pay attention to what's going on, you will not have any problems with it. In the winter that may mean flying around all day at 12,000 because you can't climb any higher and stay above red bug. It is no more dangerous than any other aircraft in ice, and probably safer than many simply due to to the testing that was done after Roselawn. The ATR is the most tested aircraft in icing ever.

 

[mckpickle]

I've seen Ice on the a/c that made me wanna throw up. Good airplane and holds a ton but ya gotta be careful, keep the autopilot off and the speed up. PM me your number if you want and we can talk.