I have only 100 hours of private time, 75 of it in RV's, 65 in my new RV-4. So, I am all ears when it comes to RV's and icing.
Having flown tactical jets in the Navy for 20 years, and instructing on two tours, I am a zealot about staying ahead of icing. The advice of not going near it is certainly solid. However, for those of us that might find ourselves nearing icing conditions I'd like to have some numbers to go by that would help me stay ahead of it, and tactically avoid it. A "completely avoid any chance of icing" mentality would be too conservative for how I intend to fly, and would drastically reduce my flexibility. Again, I do not take icing lightly. But, being the adventurous sort, I am willing to push the envelope a little farther than some others. I want to be able to predict icing before it is seen visually, or sensed by a sensor, and subsequently get out of harm's way.
In the Hornet, in visible moisture, staying away from minus 5 degrees Celcius (C) to +5 degrees C is the key. If in the landing configuration, the recommendation is to have at least +10 degrees C. Comments about RV flaps in earlier posts likely insinuate that icing is more prevalent with flaps down, which in the Hornet, after expensive industry testing, proves to be the case.
One fella told me recently that I should be very reluctant to be flying in visible moisture if the OAT is minus 2 C to +2 C. Anything less or more than that he thought would not be a factor.
Anyone have any data points regarding OATs and icing?