Category: TKS Anti-Ice System

I found a very good TKS funnel

Funnel with floating level indicator that works with TKS fluid, photo credit wikiWings
Funnel with floating level indicator that works with TKS fluid, photo credit wikiWings

We lost our previous TKS funnel, which by providence led me to the store to find another one. The new funnel was advertised as a “gas gauge” funnel but it also works with TKS fluid. It’s a definite improvement over the one we had.

This funnel has a wider spout and tabs around the neck which help to keep it stable in the TKS filler port.  I was able to add TKS fluid without causing the funnel to tip over and it was not blown around by light wind.  It was an easy one person task.

We had to hold our other funnel steady by hand which left one hand to manage the 2.5 gallon TKS bottle.  Not an easy job alone.  So, last year on most refills we had two people. Continue reading “I found a very good TKS funnel” →

What’s the cost for TKS fluid and how much does it weigh?

TKS Type Aircraft Anti-Icing De-Icing Fluid, Specification DTD 406B, photo credit wikiWings
TKS Type Aircraft Anti-Icing De-Icing Fluid, Specification DTD 406B, for aviation use only, photo credit wikiWings

We recently purchased more aircraft TKS anti-icing de-icing fluid. You can find TKS fluid sold for retail in 2.5 gallon containers.  The 2.5 gallon container we purchased was $75.00 plus $6.19 sales tax.  That would make your average cost about $32.48 per gallon including the sales tax.

We avoided some shipping cost by purchasing locally.  This year we went to AvLab, Aviation Laboratories 5401 Mitchelldale, #B6, Houston Texas 77092.

Save your TKS bottles for refill. Our local Cirrus Service Center purchases Continue reading “What’s the cost for TKS fluid and how much does it weigh?” →

Here’s a summary of Cirrus Aircraft TKS de-icing systems

Over a period of years, the Cirrus Aircraft team engineered the TKS anti-icing de-icing option into a full system required for flight through known icing.  The Cirrus FIKI system has additional and upgraded components over the previous basic inadvertent ice protection systems.   Continue reading “Here’s a summary of Cirrus Aircraft TKS de-icing systems” →

Cirrus SR22 Known-Ice Protection System

What is different about the Cirrus TKS Known-Ice Protection System? In 2009, Cirrus Aircraft gave a known problem (icing) a clearer solution. The FIKI system was a $24,500 option over the basic ice protection.  It seems Cirrus Aircraft pursues a vision of careful iterative innovation.
Continue reading “Cirrus SR22 Known-Ice Protection System” →

Cirrus SR22 G2 TKS Inadvertent Ice System

The Cirrus SR22 G2 TKS inadvertent ice system is not approved for flight into known icing.  It’s certified as a “No Hazard” system for normal operations only; therefore, no determination has been made as to the capability of the system to remove or prevent ice accumulation. Continue reading “Cirrus SR22 G2 TKS Inadvertent Ice System” →