Elite iGATE G500 Series, Operator'S Handbook Manual

Page: 104 / 157

104
STRUCTURAL ICING
All instrument pilots are familiar with the dangers of icing and the
coincident degradation of aircraft performance associated with the
accretion of ice on an aircraft. Various insidious aspects of icing can
creep into an otherwise “normal” flight and make for a really bad
day. Increased weight, alteration of airfoil shape and disruption of
air flow to name just a few, can often yield unpredictable flight char-
acteristics at best. At worst, these elements can conspire to become
catastrophic.
Like most things in life, preparation is probably the most important
part of success. Aviation is no different. Proper training, pre-flight
planning (you did check the icing forecasts and PIREPs right?) and
overall forethought are your best course for a successful, non-event-
ful trip. Preparation also refers to the act of being prepared for some-
thing that may occur during a flight. This is where “staying ahead
of the airplane” comes in. As Rod Machado says, “the two most im-
portant things in aviation are the next two.” If conditions are ripe for
icing then be on alert for subtle performance changes and/or indica-
tions that may be symptomatic of icing.
The goal of any simulation is to sharpen your “situational” aware-
ness. This is not only geographic (positional) awareness but “how
are things going” awareness. ELITE’s intent is not to prepare you
for how to exactly react to an icing “encounter” (that is best learned
from the POH, aircraft manufacturer, & experience) but rather to
enhance your ability to recognize that “something is not quite right”
feeling and thus get you thinking. Your ability to properly analyze
and successfully resolve a problem is greatly improved by quick rec-
ognition in the first place. Time and altitude are precious. In other
words, don’t be caught cruising along “fat, dumb, and happy.” With
a good scan, and knowledge of what indications should be normal/
abnormal, the degradation of aircraft performance associated with
icing should be readily apparent. Always stay ahead of the airplane
and maintain a constant self-dialogue. If you notice an abnormality
or something doesn’t feel quite right then try and maintain focus.