A system for an aircraft , the system comprising: an aircraft ; a probe that includes a heater, wherein the heater includes a resistive heating element routed through the probe , and arranged such that the resistive heating element will provide heating for the probe when an operational voltage is provided thereto; a control circuit configured to provide a test voltage lower than the operational voltage to the resistive heating element ; a current sensor configured to sense a sensed current through the resistive heating element and provide the sensed current to the control circuit ; wherein the control circuit is further configured to: monitor the sensed current through the resistive heating element while providing the operational voltage and the test voltage; interpret the fact that the sensed current is zero at the test voltage, but remains substantially greater than zero at the operational voltage as indicating the presence of micro fractures in the resistive heating element ; and determine an estimate of the remaining useful life of the resistive heating element based upon detection of the micro fractures, based on data indicating the average remaining percentage of lifetime following detection of micro fractures, these data being obtained bytests on probes during which current is cycled until the heating element breaks down. an aircraft ; a probe that includes a heater, wherein the heater includes a resistive heating element routed through the probe , and arranged such that the resistive heating element will provide heating for the probe when an operational voltage is provided thereto; a control circuit configured to provide a test voltage lower than the operational voltage to the resistive heating element ; a current sensor configured to sense a sensed current through the resistive heating element and provide the sensed current to the control circuit ; wherein the control circuit is further configured to: monitor the sensed current through the resistive heating element while providing the operational voltage and the test voltage; interpret the fact that the sensed current is zero at the test voltage, but remains substantially greater than zero at the operational voltage as indicating the presence of micro fractures in the resistive heating element ; and determine an estimate of the remaining useful life of the resistive heating element based upon detection of the micro fractures, based on data indicating the average remaining percentage of lifetime following detection of micro fractures, these data being obtained bytests on probes during which current is cycled until the heating element breaks down. monitor the sensed current through the resistive heating element while providing the operational voltage and the test voltage; interpret the fact that the sensed current is zero at the test voltage, but remains substantially greater than zero at the operational voltage as indicating the presence of micro fractures in the resistive heating element ; and determine an estimate of the remaining useful life of the resistive heating element based upon detection of the micro fractures, based on data indicating the average remaining percentage of lifetime following detection of micro fractures, these data being obtained bytests on probes during which current is cycled until the heating element breaks down. <EOS>