ASTM Develops Standard for General Aviation Ice Detectors
ASTM reported that the new F3310 standard could be useful to ice detector manufacturers and aircraft pilots.
A new ASTM International standard has been completed to increase the safety of small aircraft by supporting non-essential ice detectors. The new specification (F3310) was developed by ASTM International's committee on general aviation aircraft, F44.
ASTM International member Dennis Regnier, CAV Ice Protection, said the detectors can help to notify a pilot when the plane encounters icing conditions. "Typically, a general aviation pilot relies on visual cues to know when icing is encountered," he explained. "An ice detector can be especially useful when the time between checking for these visual cues lengthens, such as when a pilot has a high workload environment."
He said when used in conjunction with current regulatory policies, such as FAA's Non Required Safety Enhancing Equipment policy, the standard can simplify installations and approvals of non-essential ice detectors. No certification credit is given to installing such devices, however.
ASTM reported that the standard could be useful to ice detector manufacturers and aircraft pilots.