SELF-REGULATING HEATING SYSTEM FOR A TOTAL AIR TEMPERATURE PROBE

A total air temperature (TAT) probe having a self-regulating heating system is provided. A TAT probe housing includes at least one heating cavity that is located proximate to a tip of the TAT probe. A heating element is received within the at least one heating cavity. The heating element is composed from a flexible material with a very high positive temperature coefficient (PTC) that provides non-linear resistance with temperature with generally relatively low electrical resistances at temperatures below freezing and relatively high electrical resistances above freezing. A power source is coupled to the heating element. The very high PTC material of the heating element causes less power to be drawn by the heating element from the power source at higher temperatures above freezing than the power drawn by the heating element from the power source at lower temperatures below freezing to maintain a desired temperature of the TAT probe.