During an IFR cross-country flight, what should you do if you have rime icing on the wings?

Using a faster than normal approach and landing speed is advisable when rime icing is present on the wings. Rime icing occurs when small supercooled water droplets freeze on contact with the aircraft's surface, creating a rough and irregular ice formation that can significantly disrupt the airflow over the wings. This disruption reduces the effectiveness of the wings, decreasing lift and increasing drag.

By employing a faster than normal approach speed, the aircraft can maintain adequate lift despite the ice accumulation, which helps prevent a stall during the critical phases of landing. The increased speed allows for better control and can also compensate for the increased stall speed that results from the added weight and altered aerodynamics caused by the ice.

In conditions of rime icing, pilots should be particularly cautious, as the margins for error during landing are diminished. Therefore, maintaining a slightly higher speed during the approach provides a safety buffer, helping to ensure a safe landing even under adverse conditions.