Having All the Information Includes Eavesdropping

Consider the scenario of a pilot departing into a 4000-foot overcast (above the MEA) in a non-FIKI aircraft after a weather briefing that contained no PIREPs for icing but with conditions potentially conducive to it. After takeoff and a hand-off to Departure but prior to entering the cold goo, does the pilot have a responsibility to query the controller for reports of icing? If he doesnt ask and then starts flying a popsicle, was he careless for not asking? What if there were reports just on the frequency that he might-or might not-have heard?

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, April 01, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots are responsible for identifying potential icing conditions, including actively monitoring ATC frequencies for PIREPs, even if initial weather briefings indicate no icing.
A case study highlights that operating non-FIKI aircraft in known icing conditions (even from overheard PIREPs) can lead to FAA sanctions and substantial aircraft damage.
FAA enforcement actions for icing incidents rely on all available evidence, including weather reports, ATC recordings, and a pilot's awareness of conditions reported by other aircraft on frequency.

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Consider the scenario of a pilot departing into a 4000-foot overcast (above the MEA) in a non-FIKI aircraft after a weather briefing that contained no PIREPs for icing but with conditions potentially conducive to it. After takeoff and a hand-off to Departure but prior to entering the cold goo, does the pilot have a responsibility to query the controller for reports of icing? If he doesn’t ask and then starts flying a popsicle, was he careless for not asking? What if there were reports just on the frequency that he might—or might not—have heard?