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Airframe
ICE AND RAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Why is it important that ice not be allowed to build up on airplane wings in flight? | Ice distorts the shape of the airfoil and destroys the aerodynamic lift. The weight of the ice loads the aircraft down. |
Are pneumatic deicer boots operated before ice forms or after it has formed? | Pneumatic deicer boots are not operated until ice has formed over them. When the boot inflates, it breaks the ice, and the air flowing over the airfoil blows it away. |
Where does the air come from to operate the pneumatic deicer boots on a reciprocating-engine powered airplane? | From the discharge side of the air pump that is used to operate the gyro instruments. |
What is meant by a wet vacuum pump? | A vacuum pump that uses engine oil to lubricate its steel vanes. A dry vacuum pump uses carbon vanes, and it does not require any oil for lubrication. |
What is the purpose of the oil separator in a deicer system? | Oil separators are used with wet vacuum pumps to remove the lubricating oil from the discharge air before this air is used in the deicer boots. |
How are rubber deicer boots cleaned? | By washing them with mild soap and water |
How does a thermal anti-icing system operate? | Hot compressor bleed air is ducted into a special chamber between a double skin in the leading edge of the wing. This hot air is controlled by a timer so ice is allowed to build up, and then the hot air breaks its bond to the skin. |
What is used to remove frost from an aircraft before flight? | A mixture of isopropyl alcohol and ethylene glycol. |
How is ice prevented from forming on the windshield of modern jet transport airplanes? | The windshield has a heater element embedded in it. Electric current heats the windshield and keeps ice from forming on it. |
How is ice kept from forming on the pitot tube of an airplane? | Pitot tubes are heated by electric current flowing through heater elements that are built into them. |
What are two ways rain can be kept from obstructing the pilot's vision through the windshield of an airplane? | The rain can be blown away by a high velocity blast of compressor bleed air, or it can be wiped away with electrically or hydraulically operated wind-shield wipers. |
When should rain repellent be used on an airplane windshield? | Only when the windshield is wet with rain. |
How is carburetor ice prevented in the engines of the smaller aircraft? | Heated air is directed into the carburetor. This heat comes from a muff around a part of the engine exhaust system. |
How are rubber deicer boots attached to the leading edges of aircraft wings and tail surfaces? | Some of them are attached with machine screws and Rivnuts; others are bonded to the surface with an adhesive. |
What keeps an electrically heated windshield from overheating? | Heat sensors built into the windshield control the current that is used to heat the windshield. |