CAV Ice Protection Ltd.'s TKS™ fully integrated ice protection technology will be available in the second quarter of 2009 on Cirrus Aircraft's SR22 and Turbo models for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI).  

In making the announcement to a live global media audience, Cirrus Chairman Alan Klapmeier said, "Known Ice Protection completes the picture for many people when it comes to reliable, personal transportation. For many, it can allow operations on marginal days that icing forecasts would otherwise preclude travel. This means a Cirrus customer can get more utility and ultimately more capability from their airplane investment."

Partners in Development

Cirrus Aircraft and CAV Ice Protection Ltd. partnered in the development of the new capability. CAV's fully integrated TKS™ ice protection technology includes precision-crafted, laser-drilled titanium leading edges on wings, and horizontal and vertical tail surfaces. Ice lights on both sides of the Cirrus SR22 illuminate wing leading edges and tail surfaces through a sophisticated prism lens.  An automotive style de-icer system distributes TKS™ fluid onto the windshield and a traditional slinger-ring dispersion system provides ice protection for the propeller.

Ian Bentley, Cirrus' Vice President for Products and Services said, "This is probably the most extensively tested known-ice package ever developed for general aviation. The Cirrus Known Ice Protection certification program had the same icing envelope and followed similar testing protocols as airliners under FAR Part 25." A word of caution followed, "Known Ice Protection approval does not create an 'all weather' airplane, a perhaps overused term in aviation. Even airliners and corporate aircraft cancel flights for weather – particularly winter weather. A broad knowledge of weather operations and flight experience in your Cirrus is always necessary."  

TKS™ Fluid Available

Cirrus will also offer additional support for pilots with an on-line "Icing Awareness" training program focused on the Cirrus "known ice" airplanes. This will be required for known-ice pilots and recommended for others. Additionally, TKS™ fluid is available through CAV's distribution network at www.weepingwings.com and Cirrus will offer supplies of TKS™ fluid in higher (33 and 50-gallons) volume through www.cirrusconnection.com.