A pilot is planning an IFR flight in an airplane not certificated for flight into known icing conditions, and the forecast calls for visible moisture with temperatures near freezing along the entire route. Under 14 CFR 91.9, what is the appropriate course of action?
- ADepart and rely on pitot heat and windshield defrost to manage any ice accretion
- BDepart IFR and request a PIREP from other aircraft before deciding whether to continue
- CDepart as planned since 91.9 only restricts VFR flights from icing conditions
- DAvoid the forecast icing conditions since operating outside the AFM limitations would violate 91.9
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Avoid the forecast icing conditions since operating outside the AFM limitations would violate 91.9
14 CFR 91.9 requires compliance with operating limitations specified in the AFM, including any prohibition against flight into known icing conditions for aircraft not certificated for it. Since the aircraft lacks ice protection certification and the forecast indicates conducive icing conditions, the pilot must avoid the area rather than depart and hope to manage the risk in flight.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Pitot heat and defrost do not constitute certificated ice protection for airframe icing.
- B. Departing into forecast icing to gather PIREPs is not an acceptable risk-mitigation strategy.
- C. 91.9 applies to all flights, not just VFR, and enforces AFM limitations.
Flight Into Known Icing (91.9)
14 CFR 91.9 requires pilots to comply with AFM operating limitations, including any restriction against flight into known or forecast icing conditions for aircraft not certificated for it.
- AFM limitations are legally binding under 91.9
- Aircraft not certificated for known icing must avoid such conditions
- Forecast conditions conducive to icing can constitute 'known icing' for planning purposes
Memory trick: 'AFM says no-go' when ice isn't part of the certification.