Rick N. – Cirrus SR22 FIKI TKS Testimonial

7th December 2017

Rick N. lives in Oklahoma and flies throughout the Midwest, West and South. Rick owns a 2012 SR22 equipped with Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certified TKS Ice Protection. He has also owned a 2004 Cirrus SR22 equipped with inadvertent TKS Ice Protection. He has flown TKS equipped aircraft for a combined total of 8 years.

TKS for the Cirrus SR22 is now only available as a factory-installed FIKI certified option.

Rick N - Cirrus SR22 FIKI.jpg

How did you get started in aviation?

When I was six years old, my father took me up in a Piper Cub. He was an enthusiastic pilot and encouraged me to get my license when I was older. I started my private in 1968 and finished my license until 1975. I was trained in a Cessna 150 and then moved up to a 182. After I got enough hours to qualify for affordable insurance I moved up to a Cessna 310Q. In my early years, I flew a Maule M5-235 for a year delivering supplies in the bush—until an accident changed my outlook on the job. Also I have about a 100 hours in a Piper AeroStar 601P with de-ice boots.

Why did you choose TKS?

I fly throughout the winter months in areas prone to icing conditions. When I bought our airplane I searched for one with TKS installed. TKS offers a better solution than de-ice boots or a heated leading edge as the glycol fluid coats the entire wing surface.

What does TKS do for your mission?

When I was flying without de-ice boots or TKS I had a number of trips where I ended up driving a car rather than flying because of the risk of being trapped by the weather. I am still very careful about flying in icing conditions. TKS provides me with the ability to fly safely in winter months and gives me peace of mind.

Learn More About TKS Ice Protection