Flight into known icing is prohibited with the Cirrus SR22 G3 TKS Inadvertent Icing system.
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. The system allows a pilot to initiate delivery of anti-icing fluid to the wings, stabilizer and prop blades. Part of the anti-icing solution thrown from the prop blades will flow onto the fuselage and windshield.
The Cirrus SR22 G3 Wing anti-icing system was expanded to cover the entire wing. It’s TKS titanium panel begins at the wing root and extends from there to the wing’s outer edge.
The Cirrus SR22 G3 de-icing fluid filler cap and reservoir were relocated to the pilot’s left wing. The new larger 3.5-gallon de-icing fluid reservoir is easier to refill than the side fuselage port found on the SR22 G2 models (TKS fluid weighs 9.125 lbs per gallon).
The redesigned G3 wing positioned Cirrus Aircraft to certify the TKS system for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) by 2009.
If icing is inadvertently encountered the pilot should decide the most appropriate TKS operating mode.
Normal mode should be selected when conditions for icing are encountered and before ice accretion. The Cirrus SR22 G3 Non-FIKI TKS system operating time while in “normal” mode is up to 80 minutes.
If ice has accreted to flight surfaces the TKS maximum mode should be selected. The Cirrus SR22 G3 Wing Non-FIKI TKS system operating time while in “maximum” mode is up to 40 minutes.
Cirrus pilots are cautioned not to operate the TKS system for extended time in clear air, at high altitudes, and very cold temperatures. Doing so can result in “flash” evaporation of water and alcohol from the de-icing fluid. Flash evaporation will result in a glycol rich fluid that can become “gel” like on wing and windshield surfaces.
During certain flight conditions, such as higher operating altitudes and/or higher airspeeds the stagnation point on the leading edge will move up and aft enough to hinder the deicing fluid from flowing adequately along the top surface of the wing (see POH). Airspeed for optimum system performance is 95-139 KIAS. Pilots should not exceed 175 KTAS above 14,000 ft.
It is estimated that normal operation of the TKS system will decrease cruise speed by 3 knots (KTAS) and range by about 2%.
Cirrus Perspective by Garmin has an anti ice fluid level gauge on the engine monitor page (shown right).
A Crew Alerting System (CAS) annunciation is only available on aircraft equipped with the Cirrus Perspective Avionics System. The system provides more than forty various CAS annunciations including those for fluid quantity levels.
The Primary Fight Display (PFD) provides the following visual anti ice quantity alerts:
- Warning Anti ice qty: System on and fluid quantity less than 0.5 gallon.
- Caution Anti ice qty: System on and fluid quantity is between 0.5 – 1.0 gallon.
- Advisory Anti ice qty: System in Off and fluid quantity is between 0.5 – 1.0 gallon.
The TKS Inadvertent Ice Protection is a popular feature on the iconic Cirrus SR22. It became a standard feature on the GS and GTS models. In 2009, the FIKI system was offered as a $24,500 upgrade over the basic ice protection.
Non-FIKI TKS inadvertent icing systems were installed on Pre-G2 Wings, G2 Wings and G3 Wings. This applies to serials before the G3 Wing effectively serial numbers 0334-2333, 2335-2419, 2421-2437. G3 Wings are with serial numbers 2334,2420, 2438 and subsequent until 2009 when FIKI option became available and 2013 when the G5 Wing was introduced.
See related articles:
Cirrus SR22 G2 TKS Inadvertent Ice System
Cirrus SR22 Known-Ice Protection System
Copyright 2014 WikiWings, LLC, All rights reserved