Charles Hunt wrote:
1. Can you advise your thoughts on icing for this trip. is the a/c equipped for FIKI? If not, there was light rain on departure and you would (I assume!) be passing through the freezing level. Is the theory that the cloud layer was thin enough for any accumulation not to be significant?
2. On approach and arrival electronics/avionics showed distance to destination increasing from 150nm to 159nm. How can it get you on the ground if it thinks you're 150 plus nm away? Schrodingers navigation?
Many thanks
Charles.
2 is a shorter answer than 1. This issue seems to be a Foreflight anomaly when "Activate Vectors to Final" is select on the panel. The revised route (or something a little like it) is downloaded to Foreflight with the effect of replacing the original flight plan with one which contains your origin and the main points of the instrument approach. (IAF, FAF, CF, holds and MA). The active route segment seems to be selected to be the initial EGSC to IAF (or similar), which as seen from your position near the destination, leads to a distance to destination of the 150 odd miles you see. It can be fixed by selecting the right current route segment, but since I am navigating off the panel, I don't/didn't bother.
1 I use a variety of models and tools to attempt to understand the cloud layers and likely icing risk. In no particular order, I look at Skew-T projections, Windy, Autorouter GRAMET and Foreflight's own icing prediction. Within those tools (where possible), I look at the outcomes with different models - ICON being my favourite where cloud/ice is concerned. The aircraft is not known FIKI, so where thin stratiform cloud with small droplets is predicted for a quick climb or descent, I will accept the route. Where cumuliform cloud is predicted and/or a sustained climb/descent in cloud, I will decline. Weighing in on that will be. amongst many factors, the consistency or otherwise of the predictions from different models, and the availability of above-zero air for at least the first 2000 feet above terrain.
A short answer to quite an interesting question. I hope I have done it justice.