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Insidious Icing

Honeywell's “flight to nowhere” would test the so-called “Connected Aircraft” suite of technology apps enabled by a lightning fast Inmarsat GX satcom connection. Honeywell
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author experienced an engine stoppage, likely due to carburetor ice, underscoring its significant risk in aviation.
  • Carburetor ice primarily forms on the partially closed throttle valve, downstream of the venturi, due to fuel evaporation, especially at lower airflow speeds.
  • To prevent carburetor ice, pilots should use carb heat during descents, lower-speed cruise, and whenever visible moisture or humid conditions are present.
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was tootling along at low speed in my little experimental, leaning out the Marvel-Schebler carburetor one nice day, when the engine suddenly stopped. I immediately went through the restart procedures, but to no avail. Realizing that I had run out of options, I turned my little Sonex into the wind and landed on a hillside recently planted in wheat. I was later able to take off from a nearby highway and fly back to the airport. Nature had been kind to me. 

The throttle setting was relatively low, and the temperature-dew point spread was not too high either. It must have been carburetor ice!

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