bnt83
Final Approach
Can't just use like Jack Daniels? What would PETA say?
TKS Fluid
- Thread starter JasonM
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Can't just use like Jack Daniels? What would PETA say?
Too much water in Jack, plus you need something that slimes.
You can go to any box store /hardware store and even some grocery stores and buy (RV antifreeze)..... It should work as is and it is usually 2.50 a gallon...
Kiddo's Driver
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Jim
It is dyed, usually pink. That would be a dead give away... and it is only about 55% glycol.
colojo
Line Up and Wait
I've been flying TKS FIKI Mooneys for 15 years. TKS is a bit of a pain and sometimes a bit of a mess, but it sure is effective.
I run mine once a month for as long as it takes to completely coat the wings and windshield, about 20 minutes. I use about a gallon of fluid in the process. After turning it off, it takes about 20 more minutes for the aircraft to dry off. But I try to fly for at least another hour to avoid puddles in the hangar.
Bugs are not an issue. The fluid comes out under enough pressure to wick them off.
The only time it's made a mess of my airplane was on a return flight from Cabo. My plane had been sitting outdoors for two weeks and acquired a pretty thick layer of Baja dust. I decided I'd wash it when I got home. But wouldn't you know, I flew into some light rime over mainland Mexico and had to run the TKS for about 30 minutes. What a muddy mess that made of my airplane!
I run mine once a month for as long as it takes to completely coat the wings and windshield, about 20 minutes. I use about a gallon of fluid in the process. After turning it off, it takes about 20 more minutes for the aircraft to dry off. But I try to fly for at least another hour to avoid puddles in the hangar.
Bugs are not an issue. The fluid comes out under enough pressure to wick them off.
The only time it's made a mess of my airplane was on a return flight from Cabo. My plane had been sitting outdoors for two weeks and acquired a pretty thick layer of Baja dust. I decided I'd wash it when I got home. But wouldn't you know, I flew into some light rime over mainland Mexico and had to run the TKS for about 30 minutes. What a muddy mess that made of my airplane!
Kiddo's Driver
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See post #3.
Thanks.... I am looking at a bottle now.... it says 85% Propylene Glycol.
...But, for you certified guys..... The pink color is a deal breaker anyway...
Kiddo's Driver
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Thanks.... I am looking at a bottle now.... it says 85% Propylene Glycol.
But, for you certified guys..... The pink color is a deal breaker anyway...
Yep, and if you want yours to look like the certified stuff in your EAB, I linked to an Amazon page that sells non-dyed propylene glycol.
MauleSkinner
Touchdown! Greaser!
As Dave indicated, while TKS isn't corrosive, residue on the airplane surfaces tends to attract and hold the dirt and dust that DO contain corrosive elements. The most important part of avoiding corrosion is to keep the airplane clean.
We had a Hawker, and management didn't want to spend the money. To wash the airplane regularly (that's a whole 'nother issue!), and we ended up having to do some expensive and time-consuming leading edge replacements.
Overall, I liked the effectiveness of the system, but some airplanes just don't carry enough fluid-the ones I flew ranged from 30-120 minutes of fluid. The high side is normally adequate for a jet, but 30 minutes isn't enough for anything that flies in potential icing conditions.
There's a FIKI TKS mod for the Barons, which IIRC, provides several hours' worth. The guy I know that owned one never had problems with running out-he always got home from the trip before he was too low. It CAN be tough to find on the road, though.
You and I both know that RV antifreeze would be just fine through the system. We aren't talking about anything complex here. You'll likely have a pink airplane, but hey, I have pink shorts from a laundry incident as well, and they're fine.
I wish Kelly would get on with the electric hot wing pad. I liked that a lot, altough you get a Kelly alternator with it. 
Cpt_Kirk
En-Route
Thanks.... I am looking at a bottle now.... it says 85% Propylene Glycol.
But, for you certified guys..... The pink color is a deal breaker anyway...
Not if you paint your aircraft pink.
If you paint your plane pink two things will happen.
1- You would have to turn in your man card..
2- 99.9 % of the airports would not let a pink plane land there...
If you paint your plane pink two things will happen.
1- You would have to turn in your man card..
2- 99.9 % of the airports would not let a pink plane land there...
I don't need the card, besides, fly a pink plane and guess which one on the ramp the girls gravitate to?
AcroBoy
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Jim N
I've flown a fiki Baron with TKS for years and I think it's great. Boots deteriorate over time and require replacement and require bigger vacuum pumps. For the props and windshield you need either hot props and hot plate, or alcohol slinger. Boots can cost around five knots as well.
TKS is more to install initially, but less to maintain. Just bought my third barrel and it was $550 delivered. The system is plumbed to use the existing prop slingers, and there's a spray bar for the windshield. While the nose and spinners might pick up ice, the rest of the flying surfaces stay clear. It relies on two independent pumps and is otherwise stone simple. It will make small puddles of fluid on the hangar floor.
I could have installed boots, but it still would've required the alcohol props and windshield, so TKS was a better option.
Flying in the Midwest means icing conditions nearly seven months a year, so TKS has really increased my ability to go when I want.
TKS is more to install initially, but less to maintain. Just bought my third barrel and it was $550 delivered. The system is plumbed to use the existing prop slingers, and there's a spray bar for the windshield. While the nose and spinners might pick up ice, the rest of the flying surfaces stay clear. It relies on two independent pumps and is otherwise stone simple. It will make small puddles of fluid on the hangar floor.
I could have installed boots, but it still would've required the alcohol props and windshield, so TKS was a better option.
Flying in the Midwest means icing conditions nearly seven months a year, so TKS has really increased my ability to go when I want.
The TKS people told me they would do a windshield spray system for the 310 (nothing else for it though), made a nice possible option to the hot plate/strip.
dell30rb
Final Approach
It doesn't particularly need an STC, anything can be done, if you decide to go ahead and develop the STC rather than gain individual approval, you then own the STC to sell to others.
I don't need the card, besides, fly a pink plane and guess which one on the ramp the girls gravitate to?
