you may be wanting to know a thing or two..
The Federal Aviation Administration regulation says "no pilot may take off
an aircraft that has frost, ice or snow adhering to" critical surfaces suchas the wings, stabilizers and instrument systems. This is evidently the case and the pilots did the right thing given the type of contaminant ( un adhering light powdered snow) and probable temperature.
Deice when not needed does more arm than good as deicing/ anticing fluid tend to accumulate in aerodynamically quiet areas often difficult to inspect and clean.
Beside that Aeroflot is by far one of the most expert operator in winter ops due to climate they have been operating for 70 years.Have you ever heard of Siberia?
Before the unfortunate ( seen the resulting capitalistic excesses and general decline of the working and intellectual classes ) fall of the Soviet Union was by far the largest airline of the world with more than 400.000 pax per day and thousand of aircraft serving 3500 destinations in Russia only and was apparently the first to introduce what are now known as SOPs. Having had the pleasure to fly with some former Aeroflot pilots I can tell you that they are to say the least experts in winter ops.. I think they know a thing of two more than you do.. amici belli !! But you can go and pay for your type rating ( and may be in 15 year you'll get your money back seen the falling salaries.. ) and may be send again Silvio to the rule the country for other 20 and still think you are smart...
Last edited by Jetaim; 18th Apr 2012 at 17:02.