Ice and Rain Protection, Fire and Oxygen Systems
Ice and rain protection
Know the methods: bleed-air thermal anti-ice for wings and intakes, electrical heating for pitot, static ports, and propellers, and chemical de-ice for some types. Rain protection uses wipers, rain repellent or heated windshields. Traps include confusing anti-ice (prevents formation) with de-ice (removes existing ice), and forgetting that pitot heat must be on in visible moisture near freezing.
Fire detection and extinguishing
Detection uses thermal switches, thermocouples or optical sensors. Extinguishing uses a fixed bottle with a agent such as Halon, discharged into the protected zone. Know the difference between a single-shot and a multi-shot bottle, and the meaning of a fire warning test. Traps include the fact that a fire warning may be caused by a faulty detector loop, and that the bottle must be discharged into the correct zone.
Oxygen systems
Know the difference between a gaseous and a chemical oxygen system, and the role of the regulator, mask and pressure gauge. Traps include the fact that oxygen must not be used near grease or oil, and that a chemical generator produces oxygen by thermal decomposition.
Worked example
If a fire warning appears but no smoke is seen, treat it as real until proven otherwise and follow the checklist. Rule of thumb: anti-ice prevents, de-ice removes; fire warnings are treated as real until confirmed false.