TKS Flight Into Known Icing Approved for Bonanza G36s
SALINA, Kan., April 11, 2011 - CAV Aerospace, Inc. has received amended Supplemental Type Certification (STC) approval from the FAA to install the TKS Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) protection system in Bonanza G36 aircraft. The company is scheduling installation of the proprietary TKS system in Bonanza G36s for a base price of $47,500.
“We’ve been working towards obtaining FIKI approval for the G36 for a while and with more than 300 other Bonanza aircraft previously flying the TKS system, we have already integrated the work into our routine installation schedules,” said CAV Aerospace President Kevin Hawley.
Modifies Bonanza A36 FIKI Approval
The Bonanza G36 approval is an amendment to the STC that CAV Aerospace holds for the Bonanza A36 for flight into known icing. “Known ice protection through CAV’s TKS system boosts Bonanza G36 capability and gives owners additional peace of mind,” Hawley said. “Our system makes a classic high performance aircraft even more flexible.
“No other ice protection system, including boots or electrical heating systems, can provide the same level of protection as TKS,” said Hawley. “TKS gives complete airframe protection for the wings, tail surfaces, propeller, and windshield.”
Easy to Use
Pilots can just turn the System “ON” when icing is encountered and “OFF” when leaving icing conditions. A full tank of ice protection fluid provides up to 2.5 hours of continuous ice protection. As the system is used, it flushes out any accumulation of debris on the panels. Glycol, the main ingredient in the ice protection fluid, has cleaning properties and will not harm the paint finish of the aircraft.
There is virtually no loss in aircraft performance as a result of installing the TKS system. The TKS system weighs only 51 lbs. without fluid (lighter than a boot system) and 115.4 lbs. with a full tank of fluid.
NASA Proven
NASA has documented the effectiveness of the TKS ice protection concept through extensive testing in the icing research tunnel at the Lewis Research Center. Hawker Beechcraft’s Hawker series of mid-size business jets has used TKS ice protection as standard equipment for decades.
The Bonanza G36 TKS flight into known icing system offers pilots more time to make crucial decisions when encountering icing conditions. Even with a flight into known icing TKS system, one should always take immediate steps to exit icing conditions should they be encountered.
How It Works
Laser-drilled titanium panels are installed on the leading edges of the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers. A slinger ring is installed on the propeller and a spray bar is positioned in front of the windshield for protection. A glycol-based fluid is pumped through the panels at a low rate. The fluid flows over the protected surfaces and keeps the aircraft virtually ice-free.
The glycol-based fluid is pumped from a tank by individually selectable metering pumps, through a microfilter to proportioning units. The proportioning units contain calibrated capillary tubes, which divide the flow to the individual needs of the porous panels and the slinger ring. The windshield is also protected by two on-demand pumps. Either pump will supply fluid to the spray bar for windshield ice protection.
A significant advantage to the pilot is the simple operation of the system. Just turn the system “ON” when icing is encountered and “OFF” when leaving the icing condition . Only one choice of operation exists for the pilot when using the system: NORMAL or MAXIMUM mode. Using the NORMAL mode in typical icing conditions, a protective film of glycol prevents the formation of ice. In heavier icing conditions or cases of accumulated ice, the MAXIMUM mode increases the system flow rate to shed ice. A significant feature of both modes is the elimination of runback ice.
About CAV Aerospace
CAV delivers TKS™ ice protection systems to leading aircraft manufacturers and provides retrofit installations to after-market aircraft customers. CAV Aerospace, Inc. is headquartered in North America at the SLN Aviation Service Center on the Salina Airport in Kansas. CAV’s customer base includes a number of aircraft manufacturers and more than 6,000 aircraft owners who fly their products, including: Cessna Aircraft, Cirrus Design Corporation, Commander Premier Aircraft, Diamond Aircraft, General Atomic, Hawker Beechcraft, Mooney Aircraft, Piper Aircraft, Quest Aircraft, and Socata EADS.
CAV Aerospace Inc. is the North American subsidiary of CAV Aerospace Ltd., a global Super Tier 1 Supplier. The parent company has manufacturing centers in Consett, Leicester, and Wales, in the UK, and in Poland. It also has offices in Poland, and Manchester, UK.
