fs9 MD-11 Low Fuel Temp Warning

[des182001 1]

Hello all,Today I was flying a normal route flown by FEDEX from PANC(Anchorage) to KEWR (Newark). About 900nm into my flight I received a low fuel temp warning that suggested I descend to a lower altitude. This makes sense since the outside air temp at FL320 was -60C and the fuel freezes at -40C; I started my descent and then lost the number 1 and 3 engines because of frozen fuel. I had to get down to 8000 AGL before the engines would restart. One last note; I was flying direct and was way north of Canada when this occured.My questions are:1. Do planes normally fly that far north in conditions of -60C? Or do they fly south of it and then head east. ( PANC to KEWR)2. Is there anything I can do about it besides descending? (I checked the QRH and Systems Manuals)I know this is not a problem with the desgin of PMDG's MD-11; I just want to know what is done in the real world. Thanks PMDG for applying that much attention to detail!!! :( Dan Schultz

[mfrantz 45]

Hello all,Today I was flying a normal route flown by FEDEX from PANC(Anchorage) to KEWR (Newark). About 900nm into my flight I received a low fuel temp warning that suggested I descend to a lower altitude. This makes sense since the outside air temp at FL320 was -60C and the fuel freezes at -40C; I started my descent and then lost the number 1 and 3 engines because of frozen fuel. I had to get down to 8000 AGL before the engines would restart. One last note; I was flying direct and was way north of Canada when this occured.My questions are:1. Do planes normally fly that far north in conditions of -60C? Or do they fly south of it and then head east. ( PANC to KEWR)2. Is there anything I can do about it besides descending? (I checked the QRH and Systems Manuals)I know this is not a problem with the desgin of PMDG's MD-11; I just want to know what is done in the real world. Thanks PMDG for applying that much attention to detail!!! :( Dan Schultz

Dan,One thing you can do if you know you are going to find such low temperatures during cruise is to use fuel type with a lower freezing temperature. You can change the fuel type from the FUEL INIT page on the MCDU. (INIT button -> ->)

[tcas_climb 45]

Ive never experienced frozen fuel before. I did get a low fuel temperature warning once and the fuel system NICELY recirculated the fuel mixing it with warmer fuel and the fuel temperature began to rise slowly but surely. However a couple methods used to warm fuel would be to descend, increase speed and one blasphemy i heard was on a particular aircraft to use wing anti ice which would throw back some heat

[des182001 1]

Dan,One thing you can do if you know you are going to find such low temperatures during cruise is to use fuel type with a lower freezing temperature. You can change the fuel type from the FUEL INIT page on the MCDU. (INIT button -> ->)

Wow, I switched to Jet B and no more engine flame outs. Thank you. Is Jet A and Jet B the only types that can be entered on this page?Dan Schultz

[des182001 1]

Ive never experienced frozen fuel before. I did get a low fuel temperature warning once and the fuel system NICELY recirculated the fuel mixing it with warmer fuel and the fuel temperature began to rise slowly but surely. However a couple methods used to warm fuel would be to descend, increase speed and one blasphemy i heard was on a particular aircraft to use wing anti ice which would throw back some heat

It started recirculating at around -38c; the engines didn't go out until it hit -47C. It happened pretty quick too, thanks to FS9's weather engine the OAT dropped from -17C to -62C almost instantly. I also tried the anti ice and bumping up the heat in the Cargo Bays ( the cargo heat is probably what kept the center engine from going out since it feeds off the center tank). Anti-ice didn't help; I figured as much but it was worth a try.At least the engines recovered though (really close to ground). I was able to then declare an emergency and with Radar Contact and head for the closest airport which was PANC. I 'm still flying it now and I'll reach my T/D in about five min.Dan Schultz

[mfrantz 45]

Wow, I switched to Jet B and no more engine flame outs. Thank you. Is Jet A and Jet B the only types that can be entered on this page?Dan Schultz

Dan,There are more, but I don't remember how they are entered. Check the FUEL INIT page description on the FMS manual

[des182001 1]

Dan,There are more, but I don't remember how they are entered. Check the FUEL INIT page description on the FMS manual

Thanks for the help; it looks like JP 4 is my best option since it has a freezing temp of -58C.Dan Schultz