We fly deiced Super Pumas in ice all the time, it's certified as long as it's not freezing rain/drizzle/heavy icing. It's really something to shoot an approach to mins in a snowstorm at night, the transition to visual is some of the hardest flying I've done, I almost preferred flying the S61 where you couldn't be out in that stuff, but it does beat scud running. It doesn't get below -20 C here on the East Coast, but I've had ice in cloud from -2ish down to -15 C, I think in colder temps you just might get some at the tops. With the Puma, there's really no need to try to get out of it, to climb on top or descend below, it chugs along happily with steady build up. I was doubtful when experienced deiced Puma pilots told me you just don't worry about it, but after a few winters under my belt, I'm sold.
Last edited by Bladestrike; 28th May 2008 at 21:05.