Small Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 4012; Flight Crew Type 30
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Airport; Weather
While on a trip it began to flurry. I advised the Captain and we watched the snow intensify. It was decided to return to the airport and start the aircraft to see if we could get the dry accumulation to depart the airframe. The snow was not forecasted and appeared to be ocean effect show. There was 1.5 to two inches on the aircraft and engine start had little effect to remove the snow from the critical areas of the aircraft. There is no deicing capability at the field and a call to our offices revealed there was no way of getting a deicing truck to the field. Brooms and a ladder were summoned by the PIC to get rid of the snow. I explained that the preferred method was to apply deicing fluid. But with no chance of that happening; while there was a lull in the precipitation the snow was removed and although it was my leg; the PIC elected to perform the flight.He said they have had the same problem in the past and were successful in departing the airfield successfully. I pointed out the 'clean aircraft theory' as I've done 135 and 121 operations in the past. The normalcy of deviation was something we discussed on the return trip. Had we been unable remove the snow; or the intensity of the precipitation were to continue or worsen; I would have refused the fly in the aircraft.Our company; in order to keep the client happy; places pressure on the crews to use this airfield in the winter; knowing full well that there is no deice capability. Any attempts to use other fields; so equipped are frowned upon. This is the first and last time I will be party to this.
Aircrew used non-standard methods to clean wing surfaces of snow.