Very interesting thread, but it seems that no one has yet given a definitive answer to the original question. I don't know the answer myself, but I would like to find out.
So:
- We all agree that snow causes white-outs, and therefore is almost certainly IMC.
- We all agree that snow on the airframe before the start of the flight is a very bad thing.
However, the question which hasn't been answered yet is this:
Is it safe and legal for a current, experienced, IMC-rated or instrument-rated pilot to fly a non-deiced aircraft through a snow shower? Please answer either Yes or No. Or, if you're going to answer Maybe, please give a simple way in which the pilot can determine whether an individual case is safe and legal.
I won't hold my breath for an answer, though!
FFF
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