Sustainability and Environment
DLR Tests Experimental Vibrational Anti-Icing System
Technology to fly onboard clean-sheet, all-electric, ducted-fan gyrocopter
Future Vision S2TOL Jet Demonstrator at Aero Friedrichshafen stand
The anti-icing technology will make its first flight onboard the Future Vision S2TOL Jet Demonstrator, an all-electric gyrocopter. The example shown here is currently being used for ground research. © Charlotte Bailey / AIN

Germany's DLR aerospace research agency is preparing to conduct flight testing of vibrational anti-icing technology as it works to conclude the project this year. The piezo-electric anti-icing application is initially being targeted towards ducted-fan propeller blades, but DLR has concluded it could also benefit a wider variety of aircraft.

The research is being conducted at DLR's Innovation Center for Small Aircraft Technologies, based in Aachen. This facility—dedicated to investigating electric flight and urban mobility related to small aircraft—is also used for flight testing from the adjacent Aachen Merzbrük airport.