Cirrus pilot... FACE. PALM.

I heard a UAL mainline flight report icing to ATC and then give them the temp as the TAT, ie +10-ish. I was thinking, WTF, did he just say that? Even ATC asked them to "clarify" the temp, which they did...repeated the same thing.

So, I wouldn't go harping on this guy for not knowing the difference between mixed and rime. To be fair, it's pretty hard to tell on the airplane while you are flying IMO. I always just sorta guess, or say mixed if I'm not sure.
 
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wheelsup said:
I heard a UAL mainline flight report icing to ATC and then give them the temp as the TAT, ie +10-ish. I was thinking, WTF, did he just say that? Even ATC asked them to "clarify" the temp, which they did...repeated the same thing.

So, I wouldn't go harping on this guy for not knowing the difference between mixed and rime. To be fair, it's pretty hard to tell on the airplane while you are flying IMO. I always just sorta guess, or say mixed if I'm not sure.
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The FAA stuff says something ridiculous like +10 to -40. I have never seen the slightest trace of ice at +5.
 
To be fair I've heard an icing PIREP (I can't recall the exact temps) near plus 10. I vividly remember saying "You mean turbulence?" No ice. "You mean minus 10?" Nope. I clearly recall shouting that out in the TRACON in disbelief. I'd speculate about penetrating a cold front prior to noticing, but that barely registers on my top 10 of weird things I've seen mother nature do.

Also, Cirrus declaring an emergency in VMC flying VFR due to GPS failure, been there done that. 9 miles from the airport the pilot departed... Most Cirrus pilots are great, the other 1%...
 
My bet the conversation was something to the effect of the Cirrus Pilot reporting ice, ATC then asked what type of ice, and the pilot said "not sure".

The reason he said not sure was because its impossible to tell on the Cirrus because no ice actually builds (anywhere). The TKS on the wings and prop slinger keeps it off. You can tell your in icing conditions, but have no idea what type of ice.. Thats why when I gave PIREPS in the Cirrus, I would just take a guess on the type of icing.
 
Fly_Unity said:
My bet the conversation was something to the effect of the Cirrus Pilot reporting ice, ATC then asked what type of ice, and the pilot said "not sure".

The reason he said not sure was because its impossible to tell on the Cirrus because no ice actually builds (anywhere). The TKS on the wings and prop slinger keeps it off. You can tell your in icing conditions, but have no idea what type of ice.. Thats why when I gave PIREPS in the Cirrus, I would just take a guess on the type of icing.
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How can you tell if you're legitimately not picking anything up vs. the system is keeping everything off? I've flown in "icing conditions" and not seen anything stick to the airplane.
 
wheelsup said:
Me neither. We were right behind them on the Korry 3. Temp was -2 or thereabouts.
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I don't know big jet stuff, but with some of the small aircraft avionics I work with it's not uncommon either due to deterioration of components or computer setup errors for temp probes to read incorrectly.
 
wheelsup said:
That's an airframe limitation with the cowl anti-ice...has nothing to do with getting ice to stick on the leading edge.
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Well the jet I fly has TKS. If you don't turn it on before you get ice, you're SOL. again, engines on at +10 and speed permitting, wings come on. Granted, above 230 knots the TKS isn't really effective.
 
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