All-weather safety and confidence

Collins Aerospace is a recognized leader in ice detection systems for all-weather aircraft operation. We offer primary automatic, primary manual and advisory systems for large transport, regional, business, military, and general aviation fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft. Our products are tested in icing wind tunnels and proven in the field.

Ice detection systems

In conjunction with the FAA and aircraft manufacturers, we have pioneered the development of primary ice detectors. Our vibrating probe ice detectors are the only systems that are FAA certified for primary ice detection use on commercial transport airplanes.

Our ice detection systems offer flexible, robust designs to detect ice in a wide range of icing environments – not only for aircraft but also ground-based applications such as wind turbines and airport weather stations. Continuing our role as a leader in the field, Collins Aerospace has developed a product to detect and differentiate the new ice crystal and supercooled large droplet (SLD) conditions called out in recent regulatory updates. Our family of ice detection technologies allows us to optimize the solution for your specific need.

Features and benefits

  • Increased flight safety
  • Reduced crew workload
  • Prolonged life of the aircraft ice protection system, reducing maintenance costs
  • Significant fuel savings
  • Customized to specific applications
  • State-of-the-art testing meets new icing requirements

Magnetostrictive Ice Detector (MID)

Reduced environmental impact

  • Compared to pilot visual monitoring for icing, a Lufthansa Airline study showed that MID reduces operation of aircraft ice protection system (IPS) by approximately 70%. This is because pilot monitoring criteria are very conservative and often require turning on the system in temperatures too warm for icing. A reduction in IPS operation translates directly into fuel savings.

Improved operational efficiency

  • Reduced operation of the ice protection system means reduced wear on components such as valves or actuators and longer time-on-wing before replacement. With a 70% reduction in operating hours, this could translate to almost 4x as much time-on-wing.

Optical Ice Detector (OID)

Reduced environmental impact

  • Just like the MID technology, OID significantly reduces the need for aircraft ice protection system operation compared to using pilot visual cues, reducing fuel burn. In addition, the OID uses a flush window for the laser instead of a probe that sticks out from the side of the aircraft. This significantly reduces drag and the power needed for aircraft de-icing, providing even more fuel savings. Finally, OID can provide real-time information indicating the severity of the icing condition, allowing the ice protection system to apply only the power needed to maintain ice-free critical surfaces instead of applying “full on” power every time.

Improved operational efficiency

  • Just like the MID, reduced operation of the aircraft ice protection system means reduced wear on those components and longer time-on-wing before replacement. OID can also reduce the number of diversions/turnbacks caused by flight into icing conditions too severe for the aircraft to fly through. Without OID, the pilots need to be overly cautious in deciding whether to turn back or divert to an alternate airport. This means the aircraft can continue to its intended destination more often, eliminating the cost of extra landing fees, aircraft re-positioning, and passenger accommodations. 

Collins Aerospace Goodrich De-Icing Systems

Collins Aerospace’s 0871NA ice detector, a robust and flexible ice detection system with over 50 years of aviation and ground-based icing experience

Collins Aerospace Goodrich De-Icing is an ice protection segment leader and flies on more than 40,000 aircraft worldwide. Our de-icing systems are efficient and robust using proven technologies while engaging in continuous innovation. We offer pneumatic, propeller and electrothermal ice protection systems along with specialty heated products and full integration capability for all systems. Electrothermal de-icing features etched foil heaters with zonal control, power switching and controller for fixed wing and rotorcraft applications. Pneumatic De-Ice systems offer FASTboot® installation, Neoprene, Estane® and Silver De-Icers.

To learn more about ice protection, visit our Goodrich De-icing Systems website at www.goodrichdeicing.com.

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