Flight Tests of the Helicopter Pneumatic Deicing System

A cooperative effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), US Army and the B.F. Goodrich Company led to development of a prototype pneumatic deicing system designed for use on a helicopter rotor system. Feasibility flight tests of the system, as installed on a UH-1H helicopter, were conducted by the US Army starting in 1980. This evaluation included a structural loads survey, performance and handling qualities tests, rain erosion, artificial icing and natural icing tests. While the original prototype system resulted in significantly degraded aircraft performance and minor effects on handling qualities, modifications of the prototype made in late 1983 has resulted in considerably improved performance. Overall, the prototype pneumatic deicer system has demonstrated a satisfactory deicing capability In both the artificial and natural icing conditions.