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 PRINCIPLE OF RAIN CONTROL SYSTEM

Rain-removal systems are designed to allow the pilot to have a clear view of the airport when
taxiing and to allow them to see the approach and departure paths and runway environment
when taking off and landing during rain. There are several different ways to remove the rain from
the windshields. Although many aircraft are not fitted with a rain removal system, those that are
generally used aircraft uses one or a combination of the following systems:

⬩ Windshield wipers
⬩ Chemical rain repellent
⬩ hydrophobic seal coating of the windshields
⬩ Pneumatic rain removal (jet blast)

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WINDSHIELD
WIPER SYSTEM

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 WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM

Windshield wipers are the most common rain protection feature. Most of
them use electrical motors but some aircraft may be equipped with
hydraulic wiper motors. Usually the pilot’s and copilot’s windshield wipers
are operated by separate systems to ensure that clear vision is maintained
through one of the windows should one system fail.

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 WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM

Each windshield wiper assembly consists

of a wiper, wiper arm, and a wiper
motor/converter. In many cases,
windshield wiper systems will have limiting
airspeed, above which they must not be
operated. This limitation is due to the
increased slipstream loading on, and the
potential of damage to, the wiper assembly
at higher speeds.
Typical windshield wiper system used on transport aircraft

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 WHEN DO WE USE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM?

In general, the wipers are used during ground operations, for takeoff, during the final
stages of the approach and for landing. The wiper systems also can be quite noisy and
some pilots find them distracting. For these reasons, many pilots will only use the
wipers in conditions of heavy rain.

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 HOW DO WE USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM

When the windshield wiper switch is turned OFF, the

control circuit is open. However, the motor continues to
run until the blades are driven to the PARK position. The
motor then stops, but the control circuit is armed so the
motor will start when the windshield wiper switch is turned
on. Some installations have a separate position on the
speed selector switch that allows the pilot to position the
wiper blades in the PARK position before putting the switch
in the OFF position.

The rain control panel of a large transport aircraft

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CHEMICAL RAIN
REPELLENT

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 CHEMICAL RAIN REPELLENT

Many jet transport aircraft utilize a liquid chemical rain repellent that is sprayed on the
windshield to prevent water from reaching the surface of the glass. The water forms into
beads and the wind carries it away, leaving the glass free of water.

Rain repellent is a syrupy liquid contained in pressurized cans connected to the rain
repellent system. If an aircraft is flying in rain too heavy for the windshield wipers, the pilot
can depress the rain repellent button. A single timed application of the liquid will spray out
onto the windshield, and the wipers will spread it out evenly over the surface.

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 CHEMICAL RAIN REPELLENT

A rain repellent system permits application of

the chemical repellant by a switch or push
button in the cockpit. The proper amount of
repellant is applied regardless of how long the
switch is held. On some systems, a solenoid
valve controlled by a time delay module
meters the repellent to a nozzle which sprays
it on the outside of the windshield. Two such
units exist — one each for the forward glass
of the pilot and copilot.

Cockpit rain repellant canister and reservoir

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HYDROPHOBIC
SEAL COATING

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 HYDROPHOBIC SEAL COATING

Hydrophobic seal coating of the windshield provides an alternative to chemical repellents. The
coating is applied on the outside of the windshield and cause raindrops to bead up and roll off,
allowing the flight crew to see through with very little distortion. The best advantage hydrophobic
windshield coating reduces the need for wipers and gives the flight crew better visibility during heavy
rain.

Most new aircraft windshields are treated with surface seal coating. The manufacturer’s coating
process deeply penetrates the windshield surface providing hydrophobic action for a relative long
period of time. When effectiveness declines, the coating must be reapplied.

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 HYDROPHOBIC SEAL COATING

The effect is similar to the chemical

repellent, the differences being that
hydrophobic coating last longer
(while repellents usually need to be
applied more than once during a
flight) but coating restoration
requires more effort (compared to
refilling the repellent tanks).

Hydrophobic coating on windshield

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 PNEUMATIC RAIN
REMOVAL SYSTEMS
(JET BLAST)
 PNEUMATIC RAIN REMOVAL SYSTEM

One is the tendency of the slipstream The other is in achieving fast

aerodynamic forces to reduce the enough wiper oscillation to

wiper blade loading pressure on the keep up with high rain

window, causing ineffective wiping or impingement rates during

streaking. heavy rain falls.

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PNEUMATIC RAIN REMOVAL
Pneumatic rain removal systems remove
rain by directing a flow of heated air over
the windshield. This heated air serves two
purposes. First, the air breaks the rain drops
into small particles that are then blown
away. Secondly, the air heats the windshield
to prevent the moisture from freezing. The
air can be supplied by an electric blower or
by bleed air.

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THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING
 GROUP 2 MEMBERS

PENALOSA, MAMDOUH ABD EL

REEVE HAMID SHAWKI,
AMRO
PANES,
RYAN

MALABANAN, MADERA,
IRISH MANNY
 WORKS CITED

“Aircraft Rain Control Systems.” Aircraftsystemstech.com, 2017,

www.aircraftsystemstech.com/2017/05/aircraft-rain-control-systems.html. Accessed 14 Nov. 2020.

“Aircraft Rain Protection - SKYbrary Aviation Safety.” Skybrary.Aero, 2017, www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Aircraft_Rain_Protection.

Accessed 14 Nov. 2020.