Piper Introduces Emergency Icing Protection On PA-32s
To enhance safety and
protect pilots who find themselves in unexpected icing conditions,
New Piper Aircraft, Inc. will offer its new Piper Inadvertent Icing
Protection System (PIIPS) as optional equipment on it's
unpressurized six-seat single-engine models - the Saratoga II HP,
the Saratoga II TC, the Piper 6X and the Piper 6XT.
Based on the highly reliable and effective TKS 'weeping-wing'
technology developed by Aerospace Systems and Technologies, Inc.,
PIIPS provides pilots with the capability to stop ice formation or
remove small amounts of accumulated ice in the event they encounter
unforecasted icing conditions.
"PIIPS is an excellent example of how Piper continually strives
to move the needle in meeting our customers expectations for safety
and reliability," said New Piper President and CEO Chuck Suma.
"Pilots of these high-performance aircraft expect - and deserve - a
lot, and PIIPS delivers a new level of technology and safety to our
customers."
While the PIIPS installation in the PA-32s will not be Flight
Into Known Icing (FIKI) approved and does not give pilots the
capability to fly in or dispatch into known icing conditions, it is
an easy and capable system for use in emergency situations. When
activated by the pilot, the system pumps a glycol based fluid onto
the leading edge (shown below) of the wings, horizontal
stabilizer, and propeller.
A simple, three-position toggle switch controls operation and a
panel-mounted gauge shows the remaining fluid level. Pilots can
select between "Off, Normal, and TKS MAX." "Normal" operation will
produce a protective film of glycol that will keep the airframe
free of ice for up to two hours with a full tank of fluid. Another
significant benefit to both operation modes is the elimination of
any run back ice on the airframe.
In the event that a layer of ice has already accumulated on the
aircraft, pilots can select the "TKS MAX" mode, which doubles the
amount of glycol fluid distributed to the wings, horizontal
stabilizer, and propeller slinger ring and effectively breaks the
accumulated ice bond. Because the system is doubling its flow rate,
a full glycol tank will provide one hour of operation in "TKS MAX"
mode.
"The reality is that pilots have to be prepared for the
unexpected," said Molly Martin Pearce, New Piper's Director of
Dealer Relations & Sales. "When weather forecasts are off the
mark, and pilots inadvertently find themselves in icing conditions,
the build up of airframe ice can be quick and dangerous. Having
PIIPS takes preparedness to a new level and ensures that pilots
have the safety margin to exit icing conditions quickly and
effectively."
Aircraft performance is virtually unaffected because the system
adds a mere 81 pounds when fully fueled with full fluid. PIIPS has
a dry weight of approximately 35 lbs, and the fluid weighs 9.2
pounds per gallon, for a total of 46 pounds of fluid when full.
PIIPS features porous, laser drilled (each hole about the
diameter of a human hair), titanium panels that are installed on
the leading edges of the wings and horizontal stabilizer. A slinger
ring is installed on the propeller. When the system is activated, a
glycol based fluid 'weeps' through the panels and slinger ring to
flow over these surfaces, keeping the aircraft virtually ice
free.
Under normal operation this system requires minimum upkeep. As
the system is used, it flushes out any accumulation of debris that
may be on the surface of the panels. And the glycol, the main
ingredient of the ice protection fluid, has cleaning properties
that will not harm the paint finish on the aircraft. In fact, the
only routine maintenance required is the periodic replenishing of
the glycol holding tank by the pilot/operator.