Cowboys and Cowards

Growing up in the land of conquistadors and cowboys, my opportunities for IMC involved attacking thunderstorms or slipping into shallow ponds of fog. Neither was good for gaining instrument time or icing experience. My instructors and peers shared the same background.

jmiller

Friday, January 02, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots should overcome the irrational fear of icing by understanding its types (rime, clear, mixed) and formation, recognizing that prudence and preparation make it manageable.
Thorough pre-flight planning is crucial, involving detailed weather analysis to identify and avoid severe or known icing conditions, along with strategic route selection that prioritizes lower MEAs and ample alternate airports.
During flight, actively monitor where ice accumulates first (e.g., sharp objects, horizontal stabilizer), prefer daytime flights for better visibility, and maintain higher altitudes to allow for easier descent out of icing.
Minimize exposure during approaches by coordinating with ATC, utilizing vectors, and employing only partial flap settings to reduce time in icing and mitigate the risk of tail-plane stalls.

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We equated icing to crashing. IMC in freezing temperatures stirred a fight-or-flight response—heart rate increased; blood vessels dilated; vision narrowed. I was a coward. Now, after years of churning the soup with props and jets, I’ve realized the myth frightened us far more than reality needs to.