What is the first course of action a pilot should take when encountering icing?

• A. Leave the area of visible moisture
• B. Increase airspeed and climb
• C. Descend to lower altitude
• D. Apply de-ice and wait for conditions to improve

Answer: (A)

When icing is encountered, the immediate priority is to stop new ice from forming by removing yourself from the moisture that’s causing it. Ice accumulates whenever you remain in visible moisture (clouds, rain, fog) in subfreezing air, so the quickest way to prevent further buildup is to exit that area. This is commonly done by changing altitude or course to fly into a region with no visible moisture, where the air is not conducive to icing.

Increasing airspeed and climbing or descending may eventually help by moving you to a layer without moisture, but they are not the first action to take; simply staying in the moisture will continue icing. Descending to a lower altitude can be effective if it moves you into warmer, drier air, but you should prioritize leaving the moisture first. Applying de-ice and waiting lets ice accumulate while you wait, which is unsafe.