You Want That With Ice?

While were discussing the various precision approach scenarios, lets think about whats going to happen once weve acquired some airframe ice. The POH probably makes it clear flaps are a big no-no when landing with ice on the airframe. Weve seen the NASA videos on tailplane stalls, so we know, intellectually, that adding any flap deflection at all, or slowing down, could very well jam us into the planet. We fly the ILS flaps-up, at the power setting that nailed the glideslope, until we roll the wheels on the runway.

Editorial Staff

Friday, March 20, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

When landing an aircraft with airframe ice, the POH advises against using flaps to prevent dangerous tailplane stalls.
The correct procedure for an iced approach is to fly flaps-up, maintaining glideslope with power, until touchdown.
Common pilot training habits, which often include immediate power reduction and flap extension upon breaking out, are hazardous and incorrect when ice is present.

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While we’re discussing the various precision approach scenarios, let’s think about what’s going to happen once we’ve acquired some airframe ice. The POH probably makes it clear flaps are a big no-no when landing with ice on the airframe. We’ve seen the NASA videos on tailplane stalls, so we know, intellectually, that adding any flap deflection at all, or slowing down, could very well jam us into the planet. We fly the ILS flaps-up, at the power setting that nailed the glideslope, until we roll the wheels on the runway.