Originally Posted by
detpilot
Not quite. From the most recent letter of interpretation from the FAA,
"The FAA does not necessarily consider the mere presence of clouds (Which may contain only ice crystals) or other forms of visible moisture at or below freezing to be conducive to the formation of known ice or to constitute known icing conditions."
http://download.aopa.org/epilot/2009/090126icing.pdf
It's not as black and white as it is for us in 121. For part 91 operations, according to the FAA,
Snow is not necessarily known ice, by itself.
There are some very valid points made in the letter, however the letter also takes into account the preflight planning, weather, 91.103 all available information. Truth is they would consider this careless and reckless operation to knowingly fly in a cloud where there is frozen precipitation. Besides in any operation of an aircraft taking the most conservative route usually is the best measure. Temp around freezing and visible moisture stay the heck out of it unless you know you can LEGALY handel it. ICE is no time to guess what to do next.
My .02