I had recently talked with a friend that had recently been in Atlanta for some aviation related business and had spoken at length with Alan K. A topic of interest that arose was the subject of icing certifcation. According to my friend, Cirrus has been looking into heating the leading edge of the wing and stabilizer with “an electrically conductive” heating strip utilizing a “3rd” alternator. This doesn’t melt ice as in large turbine aircraft but inhibits the formation or accumulation of ice. To facilitate heat retention, Cirrus is also thinking of embedding a metal “leading edge” beneath this heating strip to “store” heat energy. It would operate all the time if I undertand what was relayed to me.
This is all 2nd hand info so take it accordingly but I would like to beleive my source.
Has anyone heard of this research?
Chris SR22 #102
I had recently talked with a friend that had recently been in Atlanta for some aviation related business and had spoken at length with Alan K. A topic of interest that arose was the subject of icing certifcation. According to my friend, Cirrus has been looking into heating the leading edge of the wing and stabilizer with “an electrically conductive” heating strip utilizing a “3rd” alternator. This doesn’t melt ice as in large turbine aircraft but inhibits the formation or accumulation of ice. To facilitate heat retention, Cirrus is also thinking of embedding a metal “leading edge” beneath this heating strip to “store” heat energy. It would operate all the time if I undertand what was relayed to me.
This is all 2nd hand info so take it accordingly but I would like to beleive my source.
Has anyone heard of this research?
Chris SR22 #102
Hi Chris,
This is exactly the same information I got from my Cirrus rep Bruce Gunter. Bruce said it was a “high priority” for Cirrus, but couldn’t tell me when it would be available. He didn’t think it would be this year, though.
Jeff
SR22 #140 & #228
I had recently talked with a friend that had recently been in Atlanta for some aviation related business and had spoken at length with Alan K. A topic of interest that arose was the subject of icing certifcation. According to my friend, Cirrus has been looking into heating the leading edge of the wing and stabilizer with “an electrically conductive” heating strip utilizing a “3rd” alternator. This doesn’t melt ice as in large turbine aircraft but inhibits the formation or accumulation of ice. To facilitate heat retention, Cirrus is also thinking of embedding a metal “leading edge” beneath this heating strip to “store” heat energy. It would operate all the time if I undertand what was relayed to me.
This is all 2nd hand info so take it accordingly but I would like to beleive my source.
Has anyone heard of this research?
Chris SR22 #102
Hi Chris,
This is exactly the same information I got from my Cirrus rep Bruce Gunter. Bruce said it was a “high priority” for Cirrus, but couldn’t tell me when it would be available. He didn’t think it would be this year, though.
Jeff
SR22 #140 & #228
The REAL QUESTION for most of us:
If or whwn this icing certification occurs, will we be able to retrofit and at what cost? Obviously the cost will not be known until the item is available.
Brian
I had recently talked with a friend that had recently been in Atlanta for some aviation related business and had spoken at length with Alan K. A topic of interest that arose was the subject of icing certifcation. According to my friend, Cirrus has been looking into heating the leading edge of the wing and stabilizer with “an electrically conductive” heating strip utilizing a “3rd” alternator. This doesn’t melt ice as in large turbine aircraft but inhibits the formation or accumulation of ice. To facilitate heat retention, Cirrus is also thinking of embedding a metal “leading edge” beneath this heating strip to “store” heat energy. It would operate all the time if I undertand what was relayed to me.
This is all 2nd hand info so take it accordingly but I would like to beleive my source.
Has anyone heard of this research?
Chris SR22 #102
Hi Chris,
This is exactly the same information I got from my Cirrus rep Bruce Gunter. Bruce said it was a “high priority” for Cirrus, but couldn’t tell me when it would be available. He didn’t think it would be this year, though.
Jeff
SR22 #140 & #228
The REAL QUESTION for most of us:
If or whwn this icing certification occurs, will we be able to retrofit and at what cost? Obviously the cost will not be known until the item is available.
Brian
Brian,
From what I’ve heard about the concept (embedding heat strips in the leading edges) I can’t imagine how it could be retrofitted, but who knows? It sure would be a great feature to have.
I, for one, would rather Cirrus be spending their R&D money on things like deice, FADEC and the flatscreen PFD instead of a diesel angine for the European market…
Jeff
SR22 #140 & #228
I, for two, agree. FADEC and deice. I’m willing to wait to get these, especially FADEC. Heck, I’m waiting anyway - SR22 #234.
Gordon
Well, there’s a prime example of a market economy.
How many opportunities will Cirrus lose if they prioritize FADEC vs. diesel?
If they don’t do diesel, they leave themselves vulnerable in the international market (e.g. vs. Tocata)
If they don’t do FADEC immediately, would you buy a Lancair, Piper, or a Cessna that did?
Deice is interesting. I wonder what the breakdown of instrument rated pilots are vs. vfr only. I would love to have known icing certification, but in all honesty, the aircraft is a recreational vehicle for me, so when the weather is that crappy, I either go around, don’t go, or go under.
My vote is for Diesel.
JetA will be around for ever.
Woor
Well, there’s a prime example of a market economy.
How many opportunities will Cirrus lose if they prioritize FADEC vs. diesel?
If they don’t do diesel, they leave themselves vulnerable in the international market (e.g. vs. Tocata)
If they don’t do FADEC immediately, would you buy a Lancair, Piper, or a Cessna that did?
Deice is interesting. I wonder what the breakdown of instrument rated pilots are vs. vfr only. I would love to have known icing certification, but in all honesty, the aircraft is a recreational vehicle for me, so when the weather is that crappy, I either go around, don’t go, or go under.
I would love to have known icing certification, but in all honesty, the aircraft is a recreational vehicle for me, so when the weather is that crappy, I either go around, don’t go, or go under.
If you live in the NE you don’t go anywhere beyond a local flight without ice in the forecast. I was ready to spend an extra $170,000 on a Socata with TKS icing until I found that the TKS was not certified in the US. So while it may provide some physical protection from ice it will not provide any legal protection.