What are indicators of potential airframe icing and the recommended actions?

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Multiple Choice

What are indicators of potential airframe icing and the recommended actions?

Icing occurs when visible moisture is present in freezing temperatures and ice can start to form on the airframe. The most reliable signal is seeing moisture—such as clouds, fog, rain, or melting snow—on surfaces that are at or below freezing, because that’s when ice will begin to accumulate on wings, the tail, and other airfoil surfaces. When you observe this ongoing icing potential, the prudent action is to avoid flight or divert to land as soon as practical. If the airplane is equipped with a certified and approved anti-ice system and you can use it safely, follow the airplane’s published procedures, but never rely on anti-ice to salvage a situation if icing is actively occurring. Frost on the wings with no moisture cues is not something to ignore. Frost indicates the wing surface has already been altered by cold conditions and could be a sign that icing conditions are present or imminent, so de-ice or avoid flight until the surface is clear and conditions are safe. The other options don’t describe reliable icing indicators or appropriate actions in this scenario, such as a condition unrelated to airframe icing signals or an instruction to ignore icing signs, which would be unsafe.

Icing occurs when visible moisture is present in freezing temperatures and ice can start to form on the airframe. The most reliable signal is seeing moisture—such as clouds, fog, rain, or melting snow—on surfaces that are at or below freezing, because that’s when ice will begin to accumulate on wings, the tail, and other airfoil surfaces. When you observe this ongoing icing potential, the prudent action is to avoid flight or divert to land as soon as practical. If the airplane is equipped with a certified and approved anti-ice system and you can use it safely, follow the airplane’s published procedures, but never rely on anti-ice to salvage a situation if icing is actively occurring.

Frost on the wings with no moisture cues is not something to ignore. Frost indicates the wing surface has already been altered by cold conditions and could be a sign that icing conditions are present or imminent, so de-ice or avoid flight until the surface is clear and conditions are safe.

The other options don’t describe reliable icing indicators or appropriate actions in this scenario, such as a condition unrelated to airframe icing signals or an instruction to ignore icing signs, which would be unsafe.

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