THE PLANNED C.I.R.A. ICING WIND TUNNEL (IWT)

In recent years accidents as a result of icing problems, along with the introduction of anti-icing fluids and apparent uncertainties in certification of de-icing devices, have stimulated renewed research activities in this area. Right testing of aircraft under natural icing conditions are expensive and somewhat risky. However such testing has been required to demonstrate the effectiveness of de-icing devices and to certify new aircraft. To reduce the need for extensive flight testing. the icing tunnel is an important tool for developing ice shapes and evaluating anti- icing features on full scale sections of critical parts of the aircraft. The NASA Lewis (6 x 9) foot and now the BOEING BRAIT (5 x 8) foot are the world's leading facilities. So in response to the need for an icing facility in Europe, CIRA. is starting with the design of such a facility in ITALY. This paper describes the IWT where both icing simulation phenomena and ice protection systems will be easily studied and tested.