3 Winter Small Plane Safety Tips in Anchorage

As most of us know who live here in Anchorage, about 90% of our state is not accessible by road. Compared to the lower 48, we have six times as many registered pilots and 16 times as many aircraft per capita. For us, planes are a major part of life and how we get around our great state. So winter flying is usually not just a crazy joyride, it is a necessity.

With that in mind, here are some more winter aircraft safety tips for Alaskans.

Remove Snow, Ice, and Frost

Prior to take off, it is critical to remove obvious snow from the wings as well as any ice and frost. You shouldn’t rely on snow blowing off during the takeoff roll. Ice removal compounds or alcohol can be used to remove the snow and ice. If you store your plane in a hanger, make sure to check the wings when moving it out into snowy conditions, especially if it is going to sit for a while. Ice or frost may form under the snow.

Pay Special Attention to Blowing Snow

It is common to have blowing snow conditions at Lake Hood, so if your plane is parked there, make sure you check openings in the aircraft where snow might have accumulated. If you have snow build up there, it can freeze solid and effect operations. Areas to watch are:

• Pilot Tubes
• Carburetor intakes
• Heater intakes
• Main wheel and tail wheel wells
• Anti-torque and elevator controls

Respect the Weather

Alaskan weather, like many places, can change from one moment to the next. Snow showers and whiteouts are dangerous conditions that have taken down many an experienced pilot. Even a light snow shower can build and rapidly turn into whiteout conditions. A whiteout condition means the piolet can see no “contrasting ground features.” If this happens, a pilot must immediately switch to instrument flight.

At the Law Offices of Elliott Dennis, we are very proud to call Alaska home and enjoy all of the excitement and challenges it offers. We hope that you never experience the tragedy of injury or death as the result of an aircraft accident in Anchorage or Alaska. But if you do, we are here to help.