Readback: May 2015

Rick Durdens December 2014 complex article about tailplane icing was well researched and well written. It also proved prophetic.At Cincinnati Municipal while my L-39 was being fueled, Bill Rieke, an icing researcher, came over to chat. He said that he thought the L-39 would be particularly susceptible to tailplane icing and stall because of the smallness of tailplane, the thinness of the airfoil and the need for ventral VGs.

Key Takeaways:

• Minimal ice can cause severe and unexpected tailplane stalls, especially in aircraft with sensitive tail designs like the L-39, emphasizing the critical need to avoid *any* icing conditions.
• Strict adherence to NORDO (no radio) descent rules can be impractical and dangerous in complex airspace, suggesting pilots should exercise emergency authority and prioritize common sense for safety.
• Aerobatic experience is valuable for pilots to maintain control and recover from disorientation during unexpected in-flight emergencies.
• The article implicitly discusses different pilot approaches to regulations: some adhere strictly to what's allowed, while others are comfortable with actions not explicitly prohibited.

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