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Jumpseat: Let It Snow

JFK International in the midst of the first major
snowstorm of the season. There's no difference
between the parkways and the taxiways.
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A check airman's special qualification flight from JFK to a challenging Colorado airport was unexpectedly dominated by severe and rapidly deteriorating winter weather at the departure airport.
  • The pre-flight process was complicated by mechanical issues with the aircraft's flaps and landing gear, as well as the captain's apparent lack of preparation for the specific procedures.
  • Despite undergoing deicing, a prolonged taxi during heavy snowfall compromised the anti-ice fluid, leading to snow accumulation on the wings before the aircraft could depart.
  • Combined with a "poor" runway braking report and ongoing blizzard conditions, the compromised deicing fluid ultimately led to the flight's cancellation, underscoring the dominance of adverse weather.
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I glanced out the windows in JFK International Operations. The white stuff had already started to fall. Although the intensity was adding only a dashed contrast to the darkening sky, the snow was beginning to swirl around the airplanes parked at the gate. The silver fuselages gave the impression that the airplanes would shiver if they were capable.

A pair of deicing trucks were poised on opposite sides of a 767 that was positioned at a ramp taxiway exit. The long insect arms of the deicing booms extended upward above the big Boeing. A stream of sherbet-orange spray flowed from the nozzles of the hoses that were held by the thickly dressed men perched in the buckets.

Les Abend

Les Abend is a retired, 34-year veteran of American Airlines, attempting to readjust his passion for flying airplanes in the lower flight levels—without the assistance of a copilot.

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