6 replies to this topic

[CessnaChick]

When the temperature is below -10 degrees Celsius, do you have to worry about carb ice? Would all the moisture in the air be frozen at that point? I'm just wondering because I'm going on a solo cross country flight tomorrow in a Cessna 172 and the temperature will be around -18 degrees Celsius.

[LA_PHX]

The easiest fix is leaving Canada.

[CessnaChick]

Haha, unfortunately that's not an option!

[Micah]

Generally icing happens between 5c and -10 or so. Also can depend on the relative humidity. Best bet is to just occasionally pull the carb heat on for about 20 seconds. Good luck!

[CessnaChick]

Ok, thank you!

[Gunfighter]

Humidity and hand in hand with dew point-remember, when the dew point gets lower to the temperature of the air, it means that the air is saturated. Means there is a sure sign of moisture around. Generally best in your case to utilize it though, however, always check your AOM and flight school SOPs when regarding it. Regardless of temperature here (I fly out of Tucson International, where in the summer times the temps are over 40C)...we have to bring the carb heat out when we drop below the green arc on the tachometer. It all depends-but if your in BC, I d really not want to hit a mountain because of fuel starvation, or worse have to ditch, you ll freeze in a matter of seconds.

[Heeshung]

Usually carb ice occurs in warmer, more humid weather, but I make a habit of turning carb heat on at lower throttle settings, e.g. descent.

Edited by Heeshung, 02 January 2014 - 10:37 PM.