As previously detailed, ANN had exclusive and unprecedented
access to the Cirrus Aircraft team that created GA's latest FIKI
certified airframe. It was a fascinating process... to look into
and through ALL aspects of the design, manufacture, testing and
certification of the 'Known Ice" version of the SR-22. We learned a
lot and came away impressed, educated, and enthused by the
prospects of these capabilities for all such airframes that make
the grade of earning FIKI certification... a process that the FAA
does not undertake lightly.
In this two-part addition to our series on this upgrade, we got
a chance to get INSIDE the engineering process that created this
airframe.... and now, so can you. Come meet and listen to the
people who designed and built this airframe and get educated on how
difficult and rigorous such a process is (and should be).
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...
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.
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