WINTER IFR FLYING PUTS A PREMIUM ON CLOUD avoidance. That's an odd thing to say for a rating that's all about flying in low-visibility conditions. But few general aviation aircraft are equipped for prolonged exposure to icy clouds, and avoiding them is the surest way to prevent ice accumulation in flight.Preflight weather planning should include satellite images showing cloud coverage, freezing levels, and pilots reports of ice encounters.Once you get to the airplane, preheating the engine, cabin, and avionics can reduce wear and increase reliability of electronic and mechanical items. If the airplane you're flying is equipped with deice, or anti-ice systems, make sure they're serviced (with TKS fluid or alcohol) and working properly. TKS systems, in particular, require that the pumps are primed, and even when they're working properly, it can take several minutes to move fluid from the tanks to the portions of the airplane you're trying to protect.If you rely on a tablet computer or smartphone for IFR charts, the cabin has to be warm enough for your tablet to work, and cold temperatures drain battery power faster than normal. (Bringing a separate, external battery pack for your devices can keep them working happily for many hours-provided that the battery pack itself is fully charged.)
展开▼
