Forecasting Known Icing

Ever wonder if it’s safe to fly when it’s snowing or when high humidity and freezing temperatures are forecasted?

Well, the FAA used to consider snow and high humidity/cold temperatures to be a known-ice risk which grounded many aircraft. After intense AOPA lobbying, they no longer feel that way according to FAA Legal Interpretation (Bell 2009). Bell states that dry snow and/or high humidity is not necessarily known ice and therefore may not pose the same risk.

With that said, we recommend pilots to be alert for wet snow when the OAT is between 0 and -20C due to its potential known ice characteristics. Preflight action should always include a review of AIRMET ZULU and PIREPS before departure this time of year. #Flysafe 

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