To some people living under the approach paths of busy airports, the sky really is falling.
'Blue ice' is the euphemistically-named substance formed when leaks from aircraft toilets freeze at altitude. As an aircraft begins its descent, lumps of ice can break off - hurtling towards earth and thus an obvious hazard.
Already buildings have been damaged by lumps of ice weighing up to 45kg (100lb), and the US Federation Aviation Administration has issued airworthiness directives (ADs) to try to solve the problem. The ADs initially applied to the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and Boeing 727 and, over time, have taken in other aircraft. In recent months ADs have also been issued for the Boeing 747.
Leakage
The regulations require that toilet-drain and flush-fill valves are regularly tested for any leakage of sewage.
Until now, this testing has been a costly and time-consuming process. Aaxico Industries has developed the Blister (from 'Blue Ice Tester') to make the periodic testing much easier.
The original AI 9000-2 version has been in use for three years and a new Boeing-approved model, the AI 9000-2B, is on show at Le Bourget, on the Aaxico stand in Hall 4/C7.
"The FAA-approved device is portable, needs no electrics and is easy to use," explains Aaxico operations director Ron Wheeler.
"Already we have supplied around 60 units to customers including BA, Lufthansa and KLM; and we have orders for a further 40 in the USA, Far East and Europe." The Blister removes the need to pressurise the aircraft, instead using a vacuum pump to simulate altitude. If the vacuum pressure holds, the toilet-drain and flush-fill valves can be deemed leak-free.
"Airlines already face fines if blue ice is traced to them," says Wheeler.
"The risk of litigation is high and, although the UK Civil Aviation Authority has not yet followed the FAA's example in issuing ADs, who knows what may happen in the future?"
Source: Flight Daily News
