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How should a temperature probe be protected from icing?

  • A

    A slight temperature increase should be applied, which then needs to be compensated (approximately 1°C).

  • B

    A correction for a 10°C increased temperature should be applied.

  • C

    The probe should be heated automatically without requiring temperature compensation.

  • D

    Ice protection is not needed for temperature probes as they are self-regulating.

Refer to figure.
EASA learning objective 022.02.02.02.02 states: Explain the purpose of temperature probe heating and interpret the effect of heating on sensed temperature unless automatically compensated for.


A metal temperature probe exposed to the airflow in icing conditions will need protection from icing in the same way that pitot and angle of attack probes do. The body of the probe is protected by electrical heating, the temperature sensor is surrounded by a heat shield and separated from the body by an air gap. With the aircraft in motion the airflow prevents the temperature sensor from absorbing the heat from the body of the probe keeping any temperature increase to an absolute minimum.

Although a small increase in temperature due to electrical heating will occur this will only be approximately 1°C and is compensated for.


Note: The wording of the correct answer is a little unusual but the bottom line is that a temperature probe does require ice protection by electrical heating which does cause a temperature increase of approx 1°C which needs compensating for.

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