Ice Equipment Failures

If theres one system that breeds overconfidence in the neophyte, its ice protection gear. Ice in the forecast? Youve got that known-ice Turbo Bugsmasher tucked away in a hangar just for such occasions. Problem solved, right? Not so fast.

Editorial Staff

Monday, August 04, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots must thoroughly understand their aircraft's specific ice protection systems, including their limitations, and perform diligent pre-flight and post-engine start checks to ensure functionality.
Proactive activation of anti-ice systems (e.g., heated probes, propeller de-ice, electrothermal windshields) before encountering icing conditions is crucial, along with continuous in-flight monitoring for proper function.
Be prepared for in-flight system failures by knowing specific troubleshooting techniques (e.g., varying prop RPM for imbalance, cycling circuit breakers for pneumatic boots) and emergency procedures.
Develop a balanced approach to ice flying through mentorship and practical experience, recognizing both the capabilities and potential failure modes of ice protection equipment to avoid overconfidence or undue apprehension.

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Flying safely when ice builds on the airframe is challenging enough when everything is working right. Here are a few tricks for when it doesn’t.
If there’s one system that breeds overconfidence in the neophyte, it’s ice protection gear. Ice in the forecast? You’ve got that known-ice Turbo Bugsmasher tucked away in a hangar just for such occasions. Problem solved, right? Not so fast.