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Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:18:12 -0400
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Subject: Re: [LML] Thermawing
From: John Hafen <j.hafen@comcast.net>
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References: <list-4461538@logan.com>

I have a thermawing system on my IVP that has saved my ass a couple of =
times, including what I thought was going to be a VFR flight last week =
from Seattle to Boise.

The first little bit of the flight was VFR, but I soon found myself =
flying above a deck.  I was at 17.5 and the clouds below me gradually =
rose to and began to exceed my altitude as I transitioned to IFR. =20

I admit to getting behind the airplane, planning the approach, etc., =
when I looked out and saw the wings pretty frosted up.  I turned on the =
heated wings, pitot heat, and prop heat, and squirted the windscreen =
with glycol.  All of this should have been done before entering the =
clouds at those temperatures.  My bad.  Lesson for next time.  Turn =
everything on earlier. =20

Very quickly and much to my relief,  the ice curled up into large flakes =
and blew off the wings, as advertised.

The installation and subsequent fine tuning of the thermawing was not =
without its speed bumps.  RDD had to replace a couple of faulty heater =
control units, which they did not charge me for.  They also replaced my =
100 amp alternator, which hadn't broken or faulted, but others like it =
had.  So they replaced it with a new/improved/ different model, under =
warranty, with no charge to me for the component or labor.

The advantage of the thermawing system versus the other alternatives is =
that you don't have to carry around a heavy load of liquid glycol to =
spray your wings, and then try to find more fluid after landing in some =
shit-splat little Idaho town that has never heard of the stuff.  And you =
don't have to glue inflatable rubber bladders to your wing to pop off =
the ice.

The system is early in its life cycle still, and bugs are being worked =
out.  But it has huge (IMHO) advantages over the other alternatives. =20

If I lived in Las Vegas, I probably would not bother with a de-ice or =
anti ice system (although I did ice up pretty severely over Delta Utah =
one August day at 16,000 in a Centurion T210 that only had prop heat.  =
Amazing how brick-like the chunks of ice seem as they melt off your prop =
and slam into your windscreen....).

Living in Seattle, I think having a heated wing is pretty prudent.  I'm =
glad I have it.

John Hafen
IVP 413AJ
265 hours


On Sep 9, 2010, at 5:07 PM, Doug owen wrote:

> I have had the thermawing system installed by RDD  on my IV-P turbine =
a couple=20
> of years ago.
>=20
> The computer controller failed within a few weeks and had to be =
replaced. The=20
> alternator failed within a couple of months and had to be replaced =
(involving=20
> pulling the prop). I developed an oil leak around the prop after their=20=

> installation. Pulled prop and found that NO gasket was re-installed =
when they=20
> had reinstalled the prop. The wiring connectors were not aviation =
grade - in=20
> fact, they were not even OEM auto grade, but appeared to be K mart =
grade. I had=20
> to replace all of them. My marker beacon antenna failed due to the =
install work=20
> and had to be replaced.
>=20
> When the system is on, I have a very annoying alternator whine =
constantly in my=20
> headsets.
>=20
> The heat units on the wing have many folds and uneven areas, =
particularly on the=20
> bottom of the leading edge. I brought this up to Dave McRae (one of =
the 3=20
> principals of RDD). He told me to my face "we did not charge you =
enough to do a=20
> good job!!!" It seemed to me they charged me plenty, and I paid them =
what they=20
> asked.
>=20
> I would advise that, if you consider having RDD install this system, =
DO NOT=20
> leave your airplane unattended during any aspect of the work. I =
certainly regret=20
> installing this system, but have not pulled it out either. I pretty =
much avoid=20
> icing situations anyway, and so far have not needed to use the system =
in flight.=20
> I hope that, if and when I do need it, it does not fail at the worst =
moment!=20
>=20
> Doug Owen
> N800DB
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> --
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