Decision on amount of Ice
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Decision on amount of Ice
Latest bit of legislation by Instrument
How does a PIC be satisfied "that any residual traces of snow, frost or ice will not affect the performance of the aircraft" on aircraft like a Dash 8?
This instrument permits an aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of more than 5 700 kg that is engaged in regular public transport operations to take off with residual traces of snow, frost and ice. The exemption is subject to conditions directed by CASA in the interest of safety, including that the pilot in command must ensure that appropriate procedures have been used and be satisfied that any residual traces of snow, frost or ice will not affect the performance of the aircraft.
I'm not sure about the Dash 8, but the B767 flight manual has guidance for the pilot :
I imagine that the Dash 8 flit manual would have a similar statement.
Takeoff with light coatings of frost, up to 1/8in (3mm) in thickness on
lower wing surfaces due to cold fuel is permissible; however, all
leading edge devices, all control surfaces, and upper wing surfaces
must be free of snow or ice.
Thin hoarfrost is acceptable on the upper surface of the fuselage
provided all vents and ports are clear. Thin hoarfrost is a uniform
white deposit of fine crystalline texture, which usually occurs on
exposed surfaces on a cold and cloudless night, and which is thin
enough to distinguish surface features underneath, such as paint lines,
markings or lettering.
lower wing surfaces due to cold fuel is permissible; however, all
leading edge devices, all control surfaces, and upper wing surfaces
must be free of snow or ice.
Thin hoarfrost is acceptable on the upper surface of the fuselage
provided all vents and ports are clear. Thin hoarfrost is a uniform
white deposit of fine crystalline texture, which usually occurs on
exposed surfaces on a cold and cloudless night, and which is thin
enough to distinguish surface features underneath, such as paint lines,
markings or lettering.
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320 and 330 manuals specify similar.
if there is no direction from the manufacturer, and that direction has not had a tick from the regulator then dont do it.
if there is no direction from the manufacturer, and that direction has not had a tick from the regulator then dont do it.
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The B737 has a similar statement in its manual allowing you to operate with a thin layer of ice/frost within an outlined area marked on the wing.
However, the company policy where I'm employed and I suspect is the same at many other operators is a 'Clean Wing Policy'. No build up allowed despite being allowed to do so under the regs/manufacture's guidance.
However, the company policy where I'm employed and I suspect is the same at many other operators is a 'Clean Wing Policy'. No build up allowed despite being allowed to do so under the regs/manufacture's guidance.
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Decision on amount of Ice
A seemingly meaningless document. The restrictions in the AFM are what you are required to follow. The only possible use for this instrument would be for an aircraft that does not have guidance in the AFM. All Boeing and Airbus products do. If your aircraft does not have a similar statement I would follow the advice of the major manufactures as outlined in the posts above and seek clarification from CASA that this is acceptable in terms of the instrument.
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The CASA reg formerly required an aircraft to be free of snow/frost/ice. Most jet operators will describe the formation of a very thin layer of ice on the underside of wings where the skin meets the fuel tanks. The cold fuel after a long cruise causes this layer of frost to form as you descend into more humid air. As correctly described above, most AFM/FCOMs permit a small layer of ice in the vicinity of the fuel tanks, to allow dispatch before the ice fully melts. The CASA change allows a more sensible approach and removes the requirement for a deice to legally dispatch the jet in the event of short turns.
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The method for determining if there is excessive ice on a Dash 8 is to observe the ground spoilers in the deployed position. If there is discolouration of the surfaces it is dreamed that there is too much ice on the airframe.
I will have my steak medium Rudd.
I will have my steak medium Rudd.
CASA have not given that permission Sunfish. Commercial operators will be bound by the directions in their Ops Manuals!
So nothing has changed in practical terms. Unless you are a gambler?
So nothing has changed in practical terms. Unless you are a gambler?
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The Ops Manual for most operators won't change. If the companies OM complies with the legislation and the AFM, then what is the issue? Plus at some point the procedures contained within the OM would have been 'accepted' by the ninnies at Fort Fumble.
Perhaps I have missed something here, but generally speaking it will be business as usual? The only thing I see changing is that CAsA has massaged some of the wording to ensure accountability is placed in the operators crotch, and if something does go horribly wrong CAsA will be a considerable distance away from the blame game? "Not me officer, I wasn't there, I was out of town, in Montreal".
Happy to stand corrected if I have drifted in my understanding? Fort Fumbles golden pen men have a fine knack of changing a couple of words (sometimes a lot of words) and leaving you completely bamboozled.
Perhaps I have missed something here, but generally speaking it will be business as usual? The only thing I see changing is that CAsA has massaged some of the wording to ensure accountability is placed in the operators crotch, and if something does go horribly wrong CAsA will be a considerable distance away from the blame game? "Not me officer, I wasn't there, I was out of town, in Montreal".
Happy to stand corrected if I have drifted in my understanding? Fort Fumbles golden pen men have a fine knack of changing a couple of words (sometimes a lot of words) and leaving you completely bamboozled.
Last edited by 004wercras; 2nd Jul 2013 at 12:08.
The B737 has a similar statement in its manual allowing you to operate with a thin layer of ice/frost within an outlined area marked on the wing.
Something to do with A330 outer tank ice...?
I believe Airbus was doing some work on this in recent years
I believe Airbus was doing some work on this in recent years
Assuming the fuel from the bowser is above 0 deg of course.
Kaikohe,
I'm all for being cautious, particularly where the manufacturer provides no guidance, but in this case I'm happy to proceed where the contamination is as described in the flight manual as being safe to proceed. The reality is that if you fly regularly, you will have almost certainly paxed on an aircraft with some level of acceptable wing contamination due to ice.
I'm all for being cautious, particularly where the manufacturer provides no guidance, but in this case I'm happy to proceed where the contamination is as described in the flight manual as being safe to proceed. The reality is that if you fly regularly, you will have almost certainly paxed on an aircraft with some level of acceptable wing contamination due to ice.
Last edited by OneDotLow; 4th Jul 2013 at 11:00.
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It really does not matter what "instruments" ,FCOMS, CAR'S etc have written. It all boils down to what CA(s)A decide to do in the circumstances.
It is not so long ago that CA(s)A supported a Chief Pilot who stated in court that frost could be removed with a bucket and hot water only. Fast taxi would then blow frost off . This on an aircraft of similar size to a dash 8.
The writing does not matter. It is the corrupt application of rules and procedures by CA(s)A and other bullies to suit their own agendas or protect their own positions.
Greedy
It is not so long ago that CA(s)A supported a Chief Pilot who stated in court that frost could be removed with a bucket and hot water only. Fast taxi would then blow frost off . This on an aircraft of similar size to a dash 8.
The writing does not matter. It is the corrupt application of rules and procedures by CA(s)A and other bullies to suit their own agendas or protect their own positions.
Greedy
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Decision on amount of Ice
Something I learnt from a Canadian (they know a little about ice), if in doubt, (737 in this case) open your window and run your hand along the topside of your cockpit. If you can feel the ice, DON'T GO! Saved my bacon!
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Usually depends on passenger load and if there is a separate bar service. Also if the bar carts are loaded chilled we usually go through less ice than if they come on warm.
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I seem to remember years ago when the company for which I worked lost a lot of young, talented pilots to Cathay - the question was asked of them all at interview "When would you attempt a take-off with ice on your wings?"
Never is the correct answer. If you're not in Cathay the answer is :
F%$CKING NEVER! I remember once at Glen Innes, 0430 and minus 11 degrees celcius. Aircraft was frosted over and cold-soaked, anti-icing hadn't been arranged yet (to save costs) and operations advised me to put a hose on it and wash the ice off.
I invited the gentleman on the other end of the 'phone to combine copulation and departure. One life - that's all you've got. Remember that - it's one of life's memory items.
Cheers,
Ned
Never is the correct answer. If you're not in Cathay the answer is :
F%$CKING NEVER! I remember once at Glen Innes, 0430 and minus 11 degrees celcius. Aircraft was frosted over and cold-soaked, anti-icing hadn't been arranged yet (to save costs) and operations advised me to put a hose on it and wash the ice off.
I invited the gentleman on the other end of the 'phone to combine copulation and departure. One life - that's all you've got. Remember that - it's one of life's memory items.
Cheers,
Ned
