Dale Klapmeier, Co-Founder and Vice-Chairman on “Being FIKI Capable”
Transcribed February 8, 2010, from the Cirrus Design website:
http://www.cirrusaircraft.com/perspective/fiki.aspx

In early January of this year, I was able to take the prototype FIKI airplane out to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  I had my youngest son with me.  We were going out for a long weekend skiing.  The forecast wasn’t good, so we were racing the storm to get out there.  About over the Black Hills we started to get into the ice.  Because of the winds, we were down low.  Each time that we encountered the ice we would keep climbing.  We ended up at 18,000 feet over the Rockies getting ready to shoot our approach into Jackson Hole.

[SLIDE: "Cirrus Known Ice Protection Delivers Peace of Mind"]

We were watching the weather all the way out.  We’ve gotta shoot this approach.  We know we’ve got 12,000 feet of ice to get down through.  When we turned the system on, you immediately see the entire wing covered in fluid.  So with this system, I no longer have to worry about de-icing.  I was worried now about the approach.  It’s night.  The tower closes at nine o’clock.  We basically got [sic] one opportunity to shoot this approach, and we’ve got to get in.  We were not going to turn it off until we were on the ground.  We had the fluid, we had the range, shoot the approach.

[SLIDE: "Cirrus Known Ice Protection Delivers Confidence"]

This system works great.  It allowed me to take my son through the weather, out to the mountains, ski for the weekend, and then still get back.  This system gives you the confidence to know that you get to where you need to be and get home again.  That’s the utility that this airplane gives you.

[SLIDE: "FLYING 2.0 CHANGING THE WAY YOU TRAVEL"] 

According to manufacturer Cirrus, the FIKI system "delivers peace of mind".  It "delivers confidence", the kind of confidence that Dale Klapmeier himself exhibited on this harrowing flight.

To whom does the Cirrus FIKI airplane deliver confidence?  YOU!  Any pilot for that matter as there's no mention of competence, a requisite of confidence.  Never mind common sense: not to put yourself voluntarily into a "got to get in" situation.  Forgo the advice to always leave yourself an out.

Has there ever been a car commercial that doesn't disclaim, "Professional Driver on Closed Course."  There's no such caution from Cirrus, quite the opposite.  To quote Cirrus, "With Known Ice Protection on the new SR22 and Turbo, pilots can now launch or continue flight with the peace of mind that they’re both legal and safe when icing is forecast or present."

Undoubtedly, the Cirrus known ice system does indeed improve its safety.  The TKS system is effective to navigate periodic icing conditions.  However, by no means would a prudent pilot bet his or her life, or commit lives of innocent passengers to an assumption that FIKI will not fail during extended flight into ice as the laminar flow wing depends upon it.

Youngest son on board, dudely Klapmeier takes his chance, "We know we’ve got 12,000 feet of ice to get down through."  "We basically got [sic] one opportunity to shoot this approach, and we’ve got to get in." After all, skiing is important enough to race in front of a storm, IFR at night, single-pilot over inhospitable terrain in known icing conditions with his passenger.

¹ The pressure of "get-there-itis," can sometimes induce a decision to launch or continue in less than ideal weather conditions.  FAA Flight Instructor Training Module Volume 2- System Safety Course Developers Guide V 1.1