[dar636]

Aircraft certification flight testing for icing is one of the most impressive performance tests which have to be demonstrated to the most extreme condition likely to be encountered. For icing tests the aircraft must exhibit the ability to fly with a full ice load at the most critical time - landing after a lengthy hold with ice building up. When Aviation Partners Boeing developed the Scimitar Winglet STC we ran the tests on the 737-700, -800 and the -900 in Moses Lake WA. These pics are from 2014 and the -900. The shapes on the leading edges are built to the profile ice assumes when building up, walnut shells are used to simulate the rough surface and the profile templates are used to help me inspect and 'conform' the profiles at specific wing/body/leading edge locations for the FAA certification flights. It is impressive that these aircraft can fly (at all). The flaps and leading edges will not be moved during the flight tests.