Propeller de-icer

[Giulio Valdonio]

I am replacing the props on my Twin Comanche (because of a belly landing, blast it), and am receiving the new Hartzell Q-tips version.
The original props were equipped with liquid de-icers, that I never used (I am an IFR rated VMC pilot), and the new ones have no provision for its installation.

It might be feasible to install de-icing by reworking the spinners to accept the old spray collector ring and jets, but I have some doubts about the need to rebalance the spinner, etc. Well, altogether I tend towards deleting the system. As the aircraft has no wing leading boots nor windshield heater pad, I wonder whether the prop de-icing are really something to keep.
Has any member a comment on the wisdom of deleting the system, or is anybody recommending to put it in anyway?

Giulio Valdonio
I-NASA

[Robert Lough]

Hi Giulio flew for many years out of LIML in an Aztec - practically my vote is to take the plumbing on an alcohol prop system out and hopefully get some extra pounds of useful load. My Aztec is FIKI but after ten years of piston IFR I tend to agree with the advice that when you get ice in a piston get out of the situation - a FIKI Aztec is a good performer in ice with its thick cub wing, but ice is sufficiently unpredictable in terms of severity that it can reduce TAS by 20 knots in a minute - I certainly never attempted the Abesi 8A out of LIML with a sigmet for mod ice. a dopo Robert

[Kristin Winter]

If you do remove it, I would be interested in the parts that you remove.

Kristin_winter@comcast.net