Ice Protection Analysis

As the safety, efficiency, and certification requirements of aviation evolve, CAV engineers continue to advance the development of aircraft technologies.

Recognized experts in design, certification, system integration and manufacturing, CAV are chosen partners to some of the world’s largest aviation manufacturers.

Leading developers of ice protection systems, micro-perforation and hybrid laminar flow control systems, our expert consultants are experienced in: system design and integration, manufacturing design, aerodynamics, thermodynamics, flight testing, and quality, reliability and safety analysis.

During the past 20 years, CAV has managed the icing flight testing of, and supplied the flight test planning and data analysis for 11 Flight into Known Icing certification programmes. With experience of supporting flight testing for Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) and Type Certificate (TC) programmes, CAV offers extensive reporting for OEM aircraft certification, including: certification plans, test plans, result analysis, component qualification documents, design reports, drawings and compliance details.

Icing Wind Tunnel Testing

CAV tailors icing wind tunnel testing to your aircraft design, formulating test plans and matrices that fully evaluate the performance of your ice protection system. We have designed and built more than a dozen icing wind tunnel models for FAA, EASA and UAS (NATO STANAG-4671) certification programmes, and our access to various testing facilities allows us to apply the thermal conditions, at a range of sizes, most appropriate to your design.

Ice Shape Analysis

CAV conducts icing related analysis using NASA’s LEWICE codes to simulate potential ice formation and calculates droplet impingement characteristics using trajectory computer codes. This allows us to subsequently optimise the placement and scale of ice protection systems to address predicted ice build-up.

2D analysis relating to multiple locations across the aircraft frame can then be created using CAD and these ice profiles can be lofted to create a solid impression. Developed for STC programmes these shapes support Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the certification of their new and latest amendment aircraft.

System Safety Analysis and Component Qualification Testing

Conversant in FAA requirements, RTCA and military specification requirements, CAV is practised in system safety analysis and component qualification testing.

This includes the preparation of FHAs, fault trees, FMEAs, and reliability and maintainability analysis for system safety as required by STC and TC programmes for OEM aircraft certification, as well as the development of test plans and test houses for component qualification.

Full Certification of Ice Protection Systems

Certification
  • Aerodynamic Design
  • Ice Shapes
  • Design Analysis
  • Sub-part B Risk Mitigation Testing
  • Equipment Selection
  • Installation Level Design
  • Electrical System Design
  • Cockpit and Systems Interface
  • System Safety
  • AFM Development
  • Natural Ice Campaign
  • Certification - System & Aircraft Level
  • Production Certification and Continued Airworthiness
  • Training