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?

Key Takeaways:

• Pilots operating non-FIKI aircraft in conditions conducive to icing have a responsibility to actively seek out and be aware of potential icing reports, including those broadcast on their frequency.
• A flight instructor was sanctioned for operating a non-FIKI Cessna 172 in known icing conditions, resulting in aircraft damage.
• Enforcement actions for icing encounters often rely on existing weather reports and PIREPs available on the same frequency, emphasizing the peril of ignoring such information.

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