Prolonged flight at cruising altitudes can cold-soak airplane fuel, creating a 'cold corner' in the wing fuel tanks near the wing root. Even at ground temperatures well above freezing, moisture adheres to the wings over the super-cooled fuel tanks, creating clear ice or frost. Clear ice can also form in ambient temperatures (between 35º - 75ºF or 2º - 24ºC) when conditions of high humidity, rain or fog exist.
For over 25 years, the NOFOD® Clear Ice Prevention System has been the safety solution of choice for operators of the DC-9 / MD80 series aircraft showing compliance with FAA AD-2002-21-06. The NOFOD® system eliminates the need for traditional deicing techniques in above-freezing conditions and avoids the delays, environmental issues, cost and safety concerns associated with the use of deicing fluids. This unique, over-wing ice heater blanket system becomes a robust, structural part of the upper wing with minimal maintenance or operational cost. The two overwing heater blanket panels each cover approximately 45 square feet of the left and right upper wing surface. Each panels consist of two aluminum skins with a multi-layer composite of heating elements and honeycomb insulation. The NOFOD® System turns on automatically after the aircraft lands (weight on wheels) and remains on continuously until takeoff. Contact us for more information on the NOFOD® system and wing ice prevention. |
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