I have all Ice Protection switches ON.I am unable to keep J41 clear of ice without constantly pressing the AUTO CYCLE rocker switch.Once this is done, ice clears but then quickly rebuilds.Ice never clears from prop spinners.Any suggestions on how to solve my ice problem is appreciated.Thanks,zach

The prop spinners do not need ice remediation.The auto cycle will work best if you allow it to go through the cycle. Some ice will build up before it is removed. This is normal.

The prop spinners do not need ice remediation.The auto cycle will work best if you allow it to go through the cycle. Some ice will build up before it is removed. This is normal.

So, I put the auto cycle ON and it will from time to time take care of the icing. I need do nothing else?Also, I never get into flight problems with ice buildup.I guess the J41 is not modeled for ice reducing thrust and lift?Thanks,zach

The boots will cycle such that they wait to expand until there is enough ice buildup to break off. If the layer is too thin it is possible that the boot expansion may create a gap between the boot and the ice and then the expansion will never remove the ice. There was a theory that is still controversial that this is a real problem, others argue it is not. Regardless, this is how most boot systems work in real life including the twins I fly.

The boots will cycle such that they wait to expand until there is enough ice buildup to break off. If the layer is too thin it is possible that the boot expansion may create a gap between the boot and the ice and then the expansion will never remove the ice. There was a theory that is still controversial that this is a real problem, others argue it is not. Regardless, this is how most boot systems work in real life including the twins I fly.

Thanks,Dan.

Another thing to consider in real life, that maybe you can employ, depending on the type and phase of flight, in the sim, is change altitude. If you are getting lots of icing such that you can't keep up with clearing it, go higher or lower. Your OP implies cruise, in which case you can probably change. If on approach, you don't have many options other than deal with it or divert. Thought I would mention that if maybe the issue is less operational and more the specific conditions of the flight you were referencing.

Good explanations, both.I'd also add that certain airframes have had particular difficulty with icing, even with protection. I don't remember a history with the 4100, but I know the ATR has had a rocky history with icing. It proved to difficult that it was a contributing factor to AAL's relocation of the ATRs down to the islands, where icing is rarely (if ever) and issue.Doug, I couldn't help but notice you're down at HEF. Are you there regularly? I'm up at JYO.Kyle

brasilias arnt the best ice lovers either.

Good explanations, both.I'd also add that certain airframes have had particular difficulty with icing, even with protection. I don't remember a history with the 4100, but I know the ATR has had a rocky history with icing. It proved to difficult that it was a contributing factor to AAL's relocation of the ATRs down to the islands, where icing is rarely (if ever) and issue.Doug, I couldn't help but notice you're down at HEF. Are you there regularly? I'm up at JYO.Kyle

Kyle, At the moment I'm between planes at HEF, having just sold my plane and hangar, and am currently renting probably flying once a month. That will probably continue until my kid is a little older and I have more time. I trained at JYO, so I know it well. After the ADIZ fiasco and given that I do a lot of IFR flights I wanted the tower there. (Plus I've had a few near mid-air issues with a few yahoos at JYO.)

Doug,I was just up at JYO today for an airshow.Was one a Maule or a red sport biplane? If so, I've had a couple issues as well. That's not mentioning the horrible ADIZ, but I digress...Nick,I wasn't aware Brasilias had an issue with ice, just the two issues with the blown props/engines.Kyle

Doug,I was just up at JYO today for an airshow.Was one a Maule or a red sport biplane? If so, I've had a couple issues as well. That's not mentioning the horrible ADIZ, but I digress...Nick,I wasn't aware Brasilias had an issue with ice, just the two issues with the blown props/engines.Kyle

They had a number of ice incidents in the early 90's which led the FAA to mandat specific instructiosn to run the boots to full the moment they thought any ice was on the plane. Not nearly as bad as the pilots who used the props as speed brakes.....

Props as speed brakes? Who did that?The only prop-related 120 accidents I know of are the two ASA flights. The first one was a bad prop control unit by Ham-Stand. The second one was a bad prop by the same manufacturer.Looking back at Wikipedia the above-mentioned flights are there, along with a Continental Express in-flight brake up due to missing screws, and the last one along the lines you mention - Comair 3272 due to in-flight icing.Kyle