FAA Approval Expected In Q2 2009

Cirrus Aircraft has officially taken the wraps off its 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.

In a Monday teleconference, Cirrus Chairman Alan Klapmeier said "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."

Klapmeier continued, "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.

Ian Bentley, Vice President of Products and Services added, “This is probably the most extensively tested known-ice package ever developed for general aviation. The Cirrus Known Ice Protection certification program had the same icing envelope and followed similar testing protocols as airliners
under FAR Part 25.”

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 Natue.

“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.”

In a disappointing, -- though perhaps not surprising -- concession, Cirrus admits earlier hopes the company's eventual FIKI solution would be retrofittable throughout the existing fleet (or at least on Perspective-equipped planes, or planes eqipped with anti-icing systems) will not come to pass.

Klapmeier notes the indents in the leading edges of the composite wing, horizontal stab and vertical stab skins for the TKS panels are unique for full-FIKI planes, and the Perspective avionics suite is the only panel that includes the monitoring system.

FMI: www.cirrusaircraft.com