To KSAW in MI’s U.P. Yesterday

[wiguy]

Flew up with the son yesterday, day trip. The last 30 minutes there was a little weather, worked fine though. Had a stiff headwind most of the way, still there for the return anyway.

We we parked about two hours. The temp was below 30, with a wind, I asked & they ‘plugged’ me in. I had to quote that, because on start I noticed the temp down on the CHT. I think his outlet was dead, no power. I started o.k. anyway.

Here’s another side issue, almost hesitant to mention. In flight & then parked, there was a trace amount of ice on the leading edge of the wing. I don’t have a picture, should’ve took one. It was 1/2” wide, 1/16 to the most 1/8” thick. This was only the center of the leading edge.

Anyway the son, also a pilot was making a big deal about it. I’m talking about the very ‘clean wing’ concept. I wasn’t flippant, but I wasn’t real concerned. To rectify the issue, on our stop I got some auto spray ‘ice remover’, which he(I helped) removed before departure. A fingernail was just as effective. It didn’t quite end there, once home my wife thought I was losing my edge, siding with the son. Anyway, maybe I am. I can see how one could tangle with the ‘slippery slope’.

We put some Winter tires on a relative’s car, & picked up pasties & other stuff for an IL deer hunt.

 

[sshore]

I like the picture of the flight track. You must have a different subscription to Flight Aware than I have.

 

[wiguy]

I did sign up with FlightAware. I am at the free level though, not sure if they have higher level services. I thought even at the free level, then signed in, one has access to more flights.

 

[kgrant]

I think Steve is referring to the ad content.... ... k

 

[wiguy]

Oh, the ad, I had not though of that.

 

[sshore]

Yeah, it was the ad, and yes, my mind is in the gutter.

 

[sshore]

Since I derailed this post, I should be the one to get it back on track....

From your description of the ice you picked up, I tend to be a little more on your "side" of the issue of whether you did anything wrong. If you fly long and often enough at times you will pick up some ice - the question is what do you do when you do. The typical scenario (at leas for me) is flying in IMC in well above freezing temperatures and then gradually you start to notice that the OAT starts to fall consistently towards freezing. Not a good feeling.

Down in Texas, it typically is during a cold front inversion - there actually is normally warmer temperatures up above where you currently are flying. Just climb out of the clouds or to a warmer layer. Or even better - both.

I would imagine in Michigan it would be pretty difficult to not run into icing problems from time to time. That clear ice is hard to notice - rime ice is much easier to see and it tends to accumulate much quicker and can be very deadly.

I have done worse and have pictures to prove it - but I am not going to post them. I know I was an idiot and I don't need anyone to reinforce that for me.

 

[FS]

To rectify the issue, on our stop I got some auto spray ice remover

I hope you read the safety label to make sure it was suitable for use on aluminum. Some of that stuff can do more damage than good.

 

[wiguy]

I thought of any harmful aspects, we also never used very much. The finger nail worked about as good.

Not trying to minimize ice, but this really was the low side of ‘trace’. Our next leg was landing with the temp at 43 also.

 

[proppilot]

My 2c is that for sure it is at the lower end of accumulation but could definitely have come into play at low speeds / high AOA

Interesting article

https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to...-affects-your-wing-and-leads-to-early-stalls/

 

[N4843W]

Flown into KSAW many times for Wings of Mercy. Nice former USAF base, but kind of far from town. Nothing to eat real close but if you can get to town, many places. Regarding the ice ... if you can remove it with your fingernail, it was not an issue. KSAW has a 9,000+ foot runway. You could stay in ground effect and get up to 120+ and still put it down, so you'll know if you have a lift problem. If I was departing a 2500' runway though, I would clean it off. With my base in the lower peninsula, we are in one of the world's great ice generators, surrounded by the great lakes. They will predict ice to some degree, 5 days out of 7, and understandably, they are conservative, meaning they predict high. If you don't learn to deal with and work around the ice, you aren't going to fly very much or very far from early November into April. Stay under it, or sometimes OK to fly over it if the layers are not thick. Always be aware of inversions, that seems to bite more folks on the fanny more than anything else. I have had 1/8 " to 1/4 " many times over the years -- 3500 hours on my Commander -- and the bird doesn't seem to notice or care. Have had 1/2 inch a few times without difficulty. Twice I accumulated around an inch, in inversion situations, where I descended very quickly. Kept the speed up, landed around 90+, no flaps. Went fine. I am getting older though, and find myself being more and more conservative in the past few years.

Having said all that ... I am NOT recommending anyone fly with any ice whatsoever, in fact if you can see your breath, don't fly!

 

[wiguy]

Thanks, yes I get the ice talk, never flippant about flying in in either.

I usually have a relative able to pick me up. This last time I used their courtesy vehicle.