FAA Bans Polished Frost Takeoffs

Airbus in the Snow

Starting Jan. 30, 2010, all aircraft contaminated with "polished" (smooth) frost on wings, as well as on stabilizing and control surfaces will be prohibited from takeoff, according to the FAA final rule published today.

Majors and regionals are already prohibited from operating aircraft contaminated with polished frost. FAA's final rule removes language in Parts 91 (subpart F), 125 and 135, which allowed operators to take off with frost that was polished to make it smooth -- and requires operators to remove any frost adhering to critical surfaces before takeoff.

The final rule also restructures language in parts 91, 125 and 135 to clarify that aircraft must have functioning deicing or anti-icing equipment to fly IFR into known or forecast light or moderate icing - or under VFR conditions into known light or moderate icing conditions.

Previous FAA guidance recommended removal of all wing frost prior to takeoff, but allowed frost to be polished smooth if the operator followed the manufacturer's procedures. However, aircraft makers have never published standards of acceptable smoothness, nor is there supportive data to determine how to polish frost to a satisfactory smoothness, according to FAA.