More ice

[HiFlyChick]

Just ignore all the verbal gymnastics concerning known ice definitions, it's simple: Temperature below 0C, and clouds, equals known ice, stay out of IMC completely if your plane is not equipped.

A little simplistic, but I think in this case, probably the best rule of thumb. If you're out flying for fun and/or experience (i.e. rather than a job where you have to go if possible and still safe) why on earth wouldn't you turn back? In an a/c certified for flt into ice and when flying for a living, that's when you start to play the altitudes and make the hard decisions. If you're 18 with the ink still wet on your licence, get some good safe flt in clouds, but turn back or take Plan B at the first sign of ice in an a/c with no icing protection.

You said you were scared? Good! You should have been. Make no mistake about it - you were lucky. Next time we may be starting one of those RIP threads where everyone says how sorry they are that you crashed

 

[apcooper]

Just ignore all the verbal gymnastics concerning known ice definitions, it's simple: Temperature below 0C, and clouds, equals known ice, stay out of IMC completely if your plane is not equipped.

Amen Bro, couldn't have said it better myself. I'm scared straight of both ice and t-storms. I do however feel comfortable flying in low IFR at night as long as I have plenty of fuel, am not too tired and have a well maintained plane. Unless you have a known ice plane, stay away from clouds when it is below freezing!! As others have rightly said, consider yourself very lucky and pray to whatever higher power you believe in! A few months back I was observing an IFR student 250 nm XC flight from the back in a 172 and while descending for the approach we encountered light Freezing rain!! Luckily we only got light ice but since it was FZRA it so easily could have been severe.

 

[apcooper]

Question for AVBUG

Do you happen to know what minimum performance standards light singles and twins have to meet when they are approved for icing? How long can they withstand "moderate" ice without losing too much airspeed and stuff like that. If you or anyone else here knows, let me know.

 

[avbug]

They don't.

 

[Lead Sled]

Do you happen to know what minimum performance standards light singles and twins have to meet when they are approved for icing? How long can they withstand "moderate" ice without losing too much airspeed and stuff like that. If you or anyone else here knows, let me know.

Check out the following link...
http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/sa22.pdf

'Sled

 

[BD King]

They don't.

El-Correcto.