PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Why are modern jet tails not de-iced(in flight)?
Old 26th Feb 2010, 18:15
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Mansfield
 
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Boeing is very adept at designing in huge stall margins on the stabilizer. Sadly, Douglas thought they could with the DC9 but discovered late in the program that their tail was a bit small. Hence the add-on, "either or" deicing system. Most subsequent manufacturers have followed Boeing's design philosophy.

No evidence whatsover of tail stall issues with any large jet...except the DC9/MD80. Turboprops are another story, except those designed after the new cert requirements for the pushover maneuver (like the Q400). Pretty much everyone else has had an issue at one time or another, including Saab and ATR. Of course, then there is the Viscount, YS-11, Jetstream, and, believe it or not, even the Piper Cherokee. It isn't icing certificated, of course, but it has demonstrated a propensity to bury the nose on landing with a bit of ice on the tail.
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