What is the protocol for anti-ice? How should I know icing conditions can occur? Is anything below 32 degree fahrenheit considered icing, and how does this apply to flying where the temp is always low.Also, when using real weather (ActiveSky) in 2002, how does one go about flying a completely different approach since it's often too late to simply adjust for the runway change?I know, FS9 gives better options for contacting ATC farther out and requesting different runways, but I can't afford to pay $26.00 right now for FSUIPC to even see if the PMDG would allow good FPS in FS9. My computer is only a 1.8GHz.TIA,Chris

"What is the protocol for anti-ice? How should I know icing conditions can occur? Is anything below 32 degree fahrenheit considered icing, and how does this apply to flying where the temp is always low."I

Okay, thanks. I'll try and see what I can better plan for with the runway issue. I wish I could let ATC vector me in, but it's so unrealistic with the altitude changes and all. ActiveSky lets me check the weather as well, however, ATC has given me a tail wind landing before, so it's not very helpful. Thanks again,Chris

Hi Chris.Just wanted to give you two alternatives to the default MSFS ATC. Sorry if you

>What is the protocol for anti-ice? How should I know icing>conditions can occur? Is anything below 32 degree fahrenheit>considered icing, and how does this apply to flying where the>temp is always low.>>TIA,>ChrisHi Chris,The subject of anti-icing systems 'when and where' is a large subject which has much written about it. But in a nutshell, for airframe or powerplant icing to be present there must be two basic factors present; 1. water, and 2. temperatures conducive to converting said water to a solid. The temperature of plus 10 degrees (for some aircraft this is plus 5 degrees C) is generally in regrds to engine anti-icing. The pressure drop in the engine inlets may cause the temperature of the ingested air to drop sufficiently to cause any 'unseen' moisture in it to freeze onto the fans an such. This is when temperature and dewpoint (T/D) come to play. The closer those numbers the more saturated the air is. If the temperature is less than 5 or 10 degrees C and the T/D is within 5 degrees C, the potential for engine icing is present. However, there wouldn't much need for engine anti-ice if the temperatue was a -10 degrees C and a big dry high pressure system was sitting on top of you and the T/D had a 30 degree C spread. The air is as dry as a popcorn puff. So temperatur alone doesn't determine engine anti-ice usage. Airframe icing is a little different. Unseen moisture should not present a threat. I say 'should not' because I've never read anything to the contrary. However, every Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) and Dash-1 (Military AFM) that I have read uses the term 'Visible Moisture' i.e. rain or clouds, in regards to airframe icing. The limitations sections of those manuals may even contain instructions to activate the airframe anti-icing systems when operating in temperatures of less than 5 or 10 degrees C if visible moisture is present. This is to prevent ice accumulation on the critical surfaces of the aircraft that are protected by those anti-icing systems. BTW - Wing Boots and Prop-heat are de-icing systems. Ice must be clinging to those surfaces before they are activated to remove the ice. Thats why anti-icing systems on the modern jets is so much better.This is a little long winded, but it is just an overview. It really only scratches the surface of the icing subject. I only offer it up to contribute a little more 'real as it gets' factor to our hobby. But frankly, I'm not sure that MSFS models icing all that well. I've gotten it when I thought the conditions were not prime for it, and didn't get it when I thought the conditions were perfect for icing. Keep the dirty side down,Hank RochonRegistered OwnerATP, CFI, CFII, MEI, LRJET, CE-525S, HS-125, BE-300, BE-1900, DA-50Home built: MSI MOBO, P4C-2.4GHz, 1G 400-DDR, FX-5600/256M, XP-Pro, FS9

Thanks for the responses. Regarding Radar Contact, I'm looking into getting this as soon as I can afford to spend the money. I do think it will help my flying a great deal.As for the icing, I appreciate the explanation as to the dewpoint and temp considerations. I didn't think MSFS really simulated icing at all, but still wanted to know when it was used.Thanks,Chris