04.01.06 'Special' Edition: Already an up and coming favorite on a number of new high-performance GA birds, the folks who brought the TKS anti-icing system to the aviation market are about to unveil yet another novel product. Having taken an innovative approach to keeping a plane's wings clear of ice and frost using a glycol based de-icing fluid existed through fine-mesh surfaces, the latest system from the designers of the TKS system, Aerospace Systems & Technologies Inc., also hopes to keep your wings clean during the rest of the flight, using the same technology.

TKS owner, AS&T, tipped their hand to ANN during an exclusive interview in which they admitted that their latest product, RETROFITTABLE no less, will allow aircraft already equipped with TKS anti-/de-icing systems, to replace the normal TKS (glycol) fluid and substitute it with a proprietary mixture of water, liquid Tide (with color-safe bleach), and vinegar (to reduce streaking). The system is activated in-flight to remove contaminants on the leading edge of the aircraft, and works especially well during flight in rain and heavy fog.

Like the icing system that inspired AS&T "SlickWings" technology, operation is a simple matter of using a single on/off switch. The only major change involved in this system is a new placard that replaces the anti-ice/de-ice mode with a "Grunge/De-Grunge" label for the actuating switch. In the De-Grunge mode, the cleaning fluid is deployed to provide a thin film of solvents over the entire aircraft that not only cleans and dries quickly as the relative air "aero-squeegees" the solutions from the airframe, but the residue of solvents that remain make it harder for grease, dirt and bugs to adhere to the airframe. 

There are reportedly some additional benefits to this system besides a squeaky clean image for your favorite airplane. Preliminary information indicates that a 3 knot speed increase has been realized during a number of flight-test profiles due to the cleaner/slicker surfaces and the resultant reduced drag that is created by the SlickWings system.

AS&T spokesperson, Karl G Moonie, noted that, "This new product will be especially handy as we approach the 'bug' season of 2006, and has a bonus feature of justifying a TKS system to your 'significant other' year-round!" Karl admitted that the one downside to the system is that it does require that a pilot switch from the cleaning solution to the de-icing fluid when there is ANY possibility of encountering actual icing conditions, but that a hybrid solution that allows for BOTH de-icing AND cleaning properties is in the works. AS&T hopes to seek a TSO for the combo-solution before the end of the year.

Further; a special high surface-tension mixture is being developed so that an aircraft will be able to spray bubbles during aerobatic routines and airshows. "That's a real crowd-pleaser... kids love it!" Karl added.

FMI: www.TKS-slickwings.com