Message-ID: <001701bf5aef$b173c0a0$4c834a0c@default->
Reply-To: "John Wright" <jwrightdo@worldnet.att.net>
From: "John Wright" <jwrightdo@worldnet.att.net>
To: "LML" <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: Ice vs. altitude theoretical scenerio
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2000 15:20:08 -0700
Mime-Version: 1.0

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I would be interested in the group's advice on the following scenerio:

You are flying your iv-p above an overcast layer over the Cascades with
forecast moderate rime and mixed with the freezing level at the surface.
The tops are gradually getting higher starting at 21,000' and progressing
over the next hour up as high as 29,000'.  Even though the OAT says -14C you
are picking up rime as you enter and exit some of these cloud tops.  The
ceiling is 4,000 ft. with 3miles visibilities with snow and mist.  You have
enough fuel to turn around and get back to VFR weather.   Flight Watch tells
you en route that your destination is reporting a broken ceiling of 5,400
and 10mi visibility.   Do you:

       1.  Turn around and go back to VFR weather?
       2.  Climb up to 29,000' ?
       3.  Enter IMC and try to find a layer without icing?

       I'm curious to see what the feelings are about  flying at 29,000' if
you have to.  It seems like most of the iv-p pilots that I talk to haven't
taken their airplanes above 25,000' or don't like to fly higher than that.

All of the above was true for a flight that I made from Hayward Ca last
weekend to Portland Ore.  except the cloud tops were 24,000' instead of
29,000.  I was wondering what I would have done if the tops had been higher.
Anyone out there faced that decision or have any advice?  One of the things
that concerned me was what if the air cleaner had iced over and my alt. air
failed ( the magnetic system the AD specified is intalled), but I do not
have a manually operated alt air system.  That may have caused more problems
than the ice buildup on the wings.  Comments?  John Wright Colorado Springs


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