Safety
FAA turns up the heat on icing issue
Summer is almost upon us in the northern hemisphere, but the FAA is embroiled in two significant icing-related issues: a proposed new rule for when de-ice

Summer is almost upon us in the northern hemisphere, but the FAA is embroiled in two significant icing-related issues: a proposed new rule for when de-ice systems are activated and a new interpretation of the term “known icing.”

The notice of proposed rulemaking (Docket No. FAA-2007-27654) is titled “Activation of Ice Protection” and applies to Part 25 transport-category airplanes. It should be noted that Part 25 airplanes have many fewer icing-related accidents than Part 23 airplanes, yet the FAA has not indicated whether it will propose a similar rule for Part 23 certification.