Cessna Replacing Caravan Boots with TKS Anti-Icing

Cessna will offer a TKS “weeping wing” anti-icing system for the Cessna Grand Caravan beginning in March, using a system manufactured by Aerospace Systems & Technologies of Salina, Kan. The Cessna system includes laser-drilled titanium TKS panels installed on the leading edges of the wings, wing struts and horizontal and vertical stabilizers. A sling ring protects the propeller blades, and a windshield spray bar eliminates the need for a windshield heater. Also eliminated are de-icer boots on the landing-gear legs and forward belly cargo pod. The modification improves performance because bleed air is no longer needed for de-icer boots, and there is no performance-robbing boot inflation. Payload increases because the TKS system removes the 200-pound weight restriction for flight into known icing, and the TKS system with full tank weighs less than 200 pounds. Anti-icing endurance is more than three hours with a full tank.