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Old 23rd October 2006 | 09:02
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pumper_bob
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 91
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From: york
De-Icing for light singles.

With the cold weather looming, i was wondering why a cheap, light weight de-icing system hasnt appeared on the extras list for light singles? Take the TB21 or the Saratoga for example. Very capable aircraft complete with airways nav avionics. Yet put a couple of clouds in the sky below freezing level and your grounded! So does anyone know why the manufacturers havnt developed a system for these aircraft? I am thinking in terms of an electric element fitted to the leading edge, similar to the windscreen defrost system on my car, which can clear solid ice in a matter of seconds in the morning and only has a 20 amp fuse, so cant be too power hungry can it? I am not an expert in these fields, so does any one know why pnuematic boots and alcohol systems seem to dominate the de-icing system of choice? I would have thought electric would have been lighter and more effective, obviously i am missing something?
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