Just a few weeks ago, ANN broke the exciting details on Cirrus
new "Known Ice Protection" option for Cirrus SR22 and Turbo models.
Aircraft are available for sale now, with FAA certification for
operations in known icing conditions expected in Q2 of 2009.
The KIP program, called project "KIWI" by the folks who were in
on the secret development project, has been years in the making and
required extensive engineering, serious rework of the airframe and
construction protocols, and lots of flight testing... some of which
was fairly intense. There are a number of features inherent in this
massive upgrade... extended TKS panels for the wing, vertical
stabilizer, horizontal stabilizers (including the very end of the
leading edge of the elevator counterbalance), as well as dual rate
redundant TKS de-icing fluid pumps, a windshield TKS application
system, prop slinger, an ingenious wing/tail icing detection light,
heated stall detection vane, larger/dual TKS reservoirs,
Perspective software upgrades that monitor the entire works, and so
much more...
Cirrus Chairman Alan Klapmeier noted that, "Known Ice Protection
completes the picture for many when it comes to reliable, personal
transportation. It can allow operations on marginal weather days
when icing forecasts would otherwise preclude travel. This means a
Cirrus customer gets more utility and ultimately more capability
from their airplane investment."
Alan added that, "An important issue to address up front is
although the airplane has completed testing to show its safe to fly
in FAA known icing conditions, no one should ever think that this
means they can drone along impervious to nature in icing conditions
— nature always wins! Of course proper training and decision
making is essential for flight safety."
Developed in partnership with CAV Ice Protection Ltd., the
Cirrus SR22 and Turbo Known Ice Protection system has CAV’s
fully integrated TKS “weeping wing” technology in
laser-drilled panels on the leading edges of wings, horizontal and
vertical tail surfaces and elevator. Dual pumps provide the power
needed to distribute the fluid throughout the airframe.
New high-intensity LED ice lights on both sides of the airplane
illuminate wing leading edges and tail surfaces through a unique
prism lens. An automotive-style de-icing system distributes TKS
fluid evenly onto the windshield, and a traditional slinger-ring
affords ice protection for the propeller and other remaining
exposed surfaces.
The Cirrus Known Ice Protection system integrates with Cirrus
Perspective (by Garmin) on 12-inch screens by displaying key
operating and system status information on the MFD. TKS fluid
capacity of up to 8 gallons maximum and various pilot selected flow
rates allows de-icing fluid flow for up to 2.5 hours. If fluid
levels run low, Cirrus Perspective will display cautions and
increasing warnings.
Cirrus indicated testing of the system for FAA certification was
largely complete, though formal approval has not yet been
granted.
Sensitive to potential backlash from the GA community about the
safety of single-engine piston planes operating in known icing,
FIKI approval or not, the company also added a caveat to anyone who
would assume FIKI meant imperviousness to Mother Nature.
“Known Ice Protection approval does not create an
‘all weather’ airplane, a perhaps overused term in
aviation. Even airliners and corporate aircraft cancel flights for
weather – particularly winter weather. A broad knowledge of
weather operations and flight experience in your Cirrus is always
necessary.”
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