What should a pilot do before entering a forecast of visible moisture?

• A. Communicate with air traffic control
• B. Turn on the pitot heat
• C. Adjust the autopilot settings
• D. Perform a pre-flight inspection

Answer: (B)

Before entering a forecast of visible moisture, it is essential for a pilot to turn on the pitot heat. This action helps to prevent ice from accumulating on the pitot tube, which is crucial for accurate airspeed readings. When flying through visible moisture, such as clouds or precipitation, the temperature can drop, leading to potential icing conditions. This icing can obstruct the pitot tube and result in erroneous airspeed indications, which can be dangerous.

Turning on the pitot heat before encountering visible moisture ensures that the system is functioning effectively and maintaining the proper airspeed measurements necessary for safe flight operations. This precautionary step is a standard procedure to enhance safety when flying in conditions that lead to moisture accumulation and possible ice formation.