What should be done if carb icing is suspected during flight?

If carb icing is suspected during flight, enabling carb heat is the most appropriate action to take. Carburetor icing can occur when moisture in the air freezes within the carburetor, disrupting the flow of fuel-air mixture to the engine. This can lead to a decrease in engine performance or even engine failure.

When carb heat is applied, it directs warm air from around the engine into the carburetor, which helps to melt the ice that may have formed. This prevents further icing and helps restore proper engine function.

Adding more throttle or deploying flaps does not address the underlying issue of carb icing and may even exacerbate the situation by increasing airflow demands on an already compromised engine. Descending may not be an immediate solution, as it doesn't resolve the carburetor icing itself and could be unsafe if the engine is failing. Therefore, using carb heat is the effective and proper response to mitigate the effects of carburetor icing during flight.