Hi Sean:
With prop ice and de-icing boots on it is not really likely you would see that sort of airframe ice, now that could depend on the severity of the storm of course.
Where you would most likely pick up something like that is after deicing and taxing to take off.
Some of the deicing fluids are very sticky and yes wet snow will stick.
When deicing you really only want the control surfaces done, but lots of times an aircraft will have snow and ice all over the wings and airframe from sitting outside in a storm.
The deicing crews will spray the entire aircraft except the cockpit windows (I hope) to deice the aircraft. If it is still snowing then this is where you can get into a problem. But, again, it will depend on what type of deicing fluid is used. I have seen many an aircraft taxi back in with snow build up after deicing because of delayed departures.
I have not checked it out myself but there should be several good sites on deicing fluids and they are recycling deicing fluids now. One of the major company's is "Inland" which has a site and some interesting information on deicing fluids and recycling them.
The best defence to-day is a good weather briefing prior to departure. With the type of information available to-day and aircraft weather radar, there is no reason a professional pilot should get into a problem with weather. That goes for all pilots, weekend bug smasher drivers, general aviation, bush flying, commercial and military flyers.
Part of that defence is a Captain who will say no go. He will either delay the flight or cancel it. This can cause inconvenience to many but at least they will all still be alive to complain about it.
Yes I have had my share of bad weather flying, sometime I used it as a training tool, when it was the copilots turn to fly the next leg, make the decision of go/no go and then turn to me ten to fifteen minutes into the flight, with the colour draining from their face and sweaty hands and then ask me what I thought of the weather report. That is when you sort of become a father figure, gently point out his/her mistakes (so all of a sudden they don't become a passenger on you) and mention to them there are no stupid questions, only stupid decisions.
They should never feel alone in the decision making, it is and always will be a team effort. (Aircrew, weather briefers, despatchers etc.)
Sorry to ramble on Sean, but think of this.
I would rather be down here,
Wishing I was up there,
Than
Up there,
Wishing I was down here.
;)
Cheers....Happy Landings....Doug
;D
