Winter Operations

Flying in winter can be a fantastic experience, however, there are a host of additional threats a pilot must consider in order to safely enjoy it. Pilots must be aware of the dangers of airframe and carburetor icing, visual illusions unique to winter and the possibility of icy taxiways and runways.

Airframe icing can be a serious weather hazard to fixed and rotary wing aircraft in flight. Icing will result in a loss of performance in the following areas:

  • Ice accretion on lifting surfaces will change their aerodynamic properties resulting in a reduction in lift, increase in drag and weight with a resultant increase in stalling speed and a reduction in the stalling angle of attack. Therefore, an aerodynamic stall can occur before the stall warning systems activate.
  • Ice adhering to propellers will drastically affect their efficiency and may cause an imbalance with resultant vibration.
  • Ice on the windshield will reduce or block vision from the flight deck or cockpit.
  • Carburetor icing may result in power loss or a total engine failue.
  • Airframe ice may detach and be ingested into jet engine intakes causing compressor stalls, loss of thrust and flame out.
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