Jesse H. lives and primarily flies within the Midwest. He was the previous owner of a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza equipped with inadvertent TKS Ice Protection.
How did you get started in aviation?
Since the 1970s we have used an aircraft to check on construction sites spread throughout the Midwest. Our aircraft have always been owner flown. I started flying in 2005 when my grandpa retired. He was going to sell the plane, so I got my license and have been flying multiple times per week since then.
Why did you choose TKS?
We have slowly stepped up to more capable aircraft. At the time we were flying an A36 Bonanza and wanted to make it more capable for the 4-6 months out of the year when that ice could delay a trip. I had a friend with TKS on a Cessna 210 and was amazed how well the system works. Ultimately, the performance I saw with it on his 210 sold me.
What did TKS do for your mission?
TKS provided us with more options and flexibility when weather was poor.
Have you had any memorable experiences with TKS?
I can’t say I ever got in a situation that I couldn’t get out of without TKS or any other ice protection.
While I only had the Bonanza for one winter, TKS was well worth the cost. It kept the plane more ice free than the Baron and King Air I currently fly. One of the advantages to the TKS system over boots is the runback from the fluid.