Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced that it has received Federal Aviation Administration certification of the Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) system for the high-performance Cessna TTx propeller aircraft.
The FIKI system extends the TTx’s mission capabilities and enables pilots to file flight plans for varying weather conditions. It can provide up to two-and-a-half hours of protection from most ice attaching to the airframe, with minimal impact on the performance.
“The Cessna TTx program has been incredibly successful and certification for the FIKI system is the next important step in the maturing of the aircraft,” said Brian Steele, Cessna TTx business leader. “A TTx equipped with FIKI offers great value for customers, allowing their business and recreational plans to stay on schedule, even in some adverse weather conditions. The TTx is already the world’s fastest commercially produced and certified fixed-gear single-engine aircraft, and we are confident the FIKI option will ensure the TTx appeals to an even wider customer base.
”The FIKI system uses glycol-based TKS fluid, which is pumped through micro-drilled holes in the titanium leading edges of the aircraft’s wings. The propeller and windshield are also protected with TKS fluid.
The TTx is an all-composite, high-performance aircraft, designed specifically for comfort, speed and luxury. The TTx is the first airplane to be equipped with the Garmin G2000 avionics system, featuring a glass cockpit with dual 14.1-inch (35.81 cm) high-definition displays and touch-screen controls.