What are the feelings here about keeping carb-heat on prior to takeoff? My examiner, who clearly knew what he was about, encouraged me to use it whilst taxiing from the run-up area to take-off.
My concern:
1) You might forget it to reset it - not a problem in a light aircraft on a long runway, but a potentially major problem in a heavy aircraft on a short runway.
2) FOD - I just don't have the experience to know to what extent it's an issue on your average runway. Presumably a major consideration bush-flying in the Sahara, but is it worse on tarmac or grass? Is it likely to cause gradual erosion of the interior of the engine, or is ingesting a stone likely to cause a catastrophic failure e.g. by hitting a valve?
3) Presumably if you set full power against the brakes, prior to takeoff... if you have carb icing you'll detect it and can deal with the problem before take-off. If you don't have carb icing, you're not likely to get more after you let go of the brakes.