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Date: Sat, 02 Jul 2011 01:23:20 -0400
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Subject: Paint damage IFR
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From: <bronnenmeier@GROBSYSTEMS.COM>

=20
Dear subscribers,

I followed the leading edge tape discussion that we had a few weeks ago.
At that point I decided not to put leading edge tape on my wings
(because of the estimated speed loss of up to 10Kts).

Last week I got into IMC at 19.000 ft. It was like high clouds, almost
like thick mist with no precipitation in it (temp around -5C, no
indication of ice).  I was in there for approx. 45 min. My TAS was
approx. 245 - 250 kts (lean of peak).=20

It was dark, I was hand flying the plane (I am still working on the AP),
monitoring all the gages (it has been flying for approx. 40 hrs now - I
am kind of still sitting on the fence), talking to ATC and I never had
the plane at a higher altitude before. So not knowing how stable the
plane would be if I added another two or four thousand ft altitude I did
not want to add another unknown variable and decided to just sit and
wait.

On the ground again I noticed that I got little electric shocks when I
touched the leading edge of the wing (I don't have static wicks). When I
wiped off the bugs the next day I noticed some little nicks in my paint
(metallic base coat with clear coat on top) on the leading edge of the
wing I touched the night before. It is not that bad but I think I should
change my behavior in order to not make it worse.

Question: are there any rules for speed/altitude for IMC/rain that make
it easier on the plane (paint)?

Thanks for your input

Ralf