A probe designed to detect ice build-up on aircraft has been successfully tested over the Snowy Mountains.
Zodiac Aerospace Australia (ZAA) designed the In-Flight Ice Detection Probe and mounted it on a King Air test bed operated from Nowra by Air Affairs Australia.
According to ZAA, the probe consistently detected ice in conditions where ice had been forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology. ZAA engineers developed special flight test equipment to monitor and record the icing trial flights.
Ice build-up on aircraft wings can lead to reduced performance, an increase in aircraft weight and an increase in the stall speed. Zodiac's probe is designed to warn pilots of impending icing, so unintended consequences can be avoided.
ZAA is a division of Zodiac Aerospace. Formerly known as Swan International Sensors it was acquired by Zodiac Aerospace in 2011. ZAA develops innovative electo-optic sensor products for atmospheric detection applications and is located at Bankstown Airport.