Stacking the Deck

Certification for flight into known icing is expensive. Since most GA airplanes are Sunday drivers the benefit doesnt justify the cost. Instead, airplane manufactures and aftermarket providers may offer pieces of a full system. This piecemeal application of anti-icing or de-icing equipment circumvents the testing requirements while providing a pilot with some additional-if not certified-options. Four methods of anti/de-icing exist: hot air, electrical resistance, liquid and boots.

Key Takeaways:

• Due to the high cost of certification for flight into known icing, General Aviation (GA) manufacturers often offer uncertified, piecemeal anti/de-icing equipment.
• Four main methods of anti/de-icing exist: hot air (common in jets, less so in GA), electrical resistance (e.g., pitot heat), liquid systems (e.g., weeping wings), and pneumatic boots.
• Each method has distinct applications and drawbacks, such as high power demand for electrical systems or weight/complexity for liquid systems.
• While requiring maintenance and pre-flight inspections, these systems provide pilots with additional time to exit icing conditions, especially during winter months or at high altitudes.

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