Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.")

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

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Aero-Tips 11.05.06

You've recently read ANN's report on changes to the approved procedure for "polishing" frost on airplane wings in lieu of removing it completely before flight. The new guidance says polishing frost is only approved if the specific airplane manufacturer recommends an ice-polishing procedure to negate frost's adverse effects -- a procedure that likely does not exist.

"Polishing" guidance

Federal Air Regulation 91.527(a) is the rule that tells us no pilot may take off an airplane that has:

• Frost, snow, or ice adhering to any propeller, windshield, or powerplant installation or to an airspeed, altimeter, rate of climb, or flight attitude instrument system;
• Snow or ice adhering to the wings or stabilizing or control surfaces; or
• Any frost adhering to the wings or stabilizing or control surfaces, unless that frost has been polished to make it smooth."

But FAR 91.527(a) applies only to large (maximum gross weight over 12,500 pounds) and turbine-powered multiengine airplanes. For the rest of us, FAR 91.7 (Civil Aircraft Airworthiness), 91.13 (Careless and Reckless Operation) and 91.103 (Preflight Action) are the only guidance on taking off with a load of frost or ice. None of these references specifically mention frost-contaminated wings, and none permits "polishing" frost.

The FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook advises:

"Ice and frost may be factors during the winter months. There is no amount of ice safe for takeoff (emphasis added). Even a thin layer of frost can have a dramatic effect on a wing's ability to produce lift. The best solution for deicing is a heated hangar."

Aero-tip of the day: Don't mess with unapproved and ill-advised schemes to get around frost removal. Budget the time (or the hangar rental) to remove frost completely before attempting flight.

FMI: Aero-Tips