Spray Missions & Flights in Known Icing (FIKI)

Aerial Dispersant application has changed platform in recent years with the introduction of the worlds first jet platform; a Boeing 727 complete with the TERSUS dispersant delivery system. During the development of this platform, stringent measures were imposed to comply with aviation standards, necessary to obtain approval from the authorities to operate. Airframe icing occurs when the ambient temperature is low enough to allow the water vapour in visible moisture to form a layer of ice on the unprotected surface, this can occur in temperatures between 10°C and −40°C. A feasibility study was completed to investigate icing and the affects it could have on operations with a fixed spray boom. The Boeing 727 is approved for flights in known icing (FIKI), the spray boom is not included within this approval, meaning when installed, it is restricted from operation in these conditions. With new platforms being developed and stringent regulatory requirements to be met, the challenges faced to alleviate icing is crucial to remove the residual risk of being unable to spray in these conditions. This poster looks at the change in design to a ‘fixed' spray boom and details how OSRL proceeded with a project to identify the risks, mitigations and the route to alleviate these restrictions.