What fuel type are you using for the flight? If temperatures get too cold, Jet-A will freeze, A1 should handle a bit cooler temperatures (-47 IIRC).

PMDG has modeled this aspect and on the INIT page, there was an option to choose fuel type.

If the fuel gets too close freezing, you should descent to a lower altitude.

EDIT: more info here:

http://forums1.avsim.net/topic/239434-md-11-fuel-freeze/

 

EDIT#2: Just realized that you didn't mention that any of the engines had flamed out. This might not be caused by fuel after all.

The anti-icing should be AUTO and not require any pilot input.  It sounds like you are turning the anti-icing off. 

 

Billy Bluestar

 

Billy,

Engine and wing anti-ice is NOT automatic on the MD-11! You have to turn it on when required and of course OFF if not required, manually.

Cheers,

Markus

I've been flying the PMDG MD-11 a couple times a week since it was released along with AS Weather and don't have any problems.  The onlly time I get an icing advisory message on a regular basis is when landing at SLLP. 

 

The "ICE DETECTED" is a message, it is not a Warning. 

 

When the "ICE DETECTED" message is received there is NO input required by the pilot.  

 

Billy Bluestar

I'll recheck my manual but I have to go with Markus on this one. Anti-ice is always at the pilot's discretion AFAIK because it can have a serious impact on performance, particularly as it uses bleed air from the engines. You can't use anti-ice or de-ice on takeoffs for instance (thus the reason for de-icing bays and different types of de-icing fluids at most northern airports) or you may end up parked in some person's back yard (maybe that should be persons for the MD-11! <LOL>)). It is manually controlled, I'm certain.

Hi all,

 

The only problem I have experienced has been with fuel icing, flying over Greenland in the winter, not very bright I must admit but that was before I found out about different fuels and the fact the MD11 doesn't have fuel heaters like a Boeing. Ended up with a glider and learning how to restart the engines in flight, very quickly!!

 

Happy flying

I've had the same exact problem as the original poster, been flying the plane pretty solid the last few years. Can't remember when it happened last, maybe over Ireland during thunderstorms (I'm using AS2012).

 

I suspect it's operator error and am curious if you find anything out.

 

Chris K.

Hi Guys,

Indeed as JPUUSTININ indicated, if you use A type fuel, it freezes at -42°c, using A1 type fuel protects you towards -47°c

Using A type fuel under long lasting very colf temperaure will get the fuel sticky and engines operation affected and aggravation when getting through/close to CB's.

When programming the FMS, under INITpage get next page twice and set A1 instead of A, you'll be fine.

Kind regards,

Jacques

This sounds promising about the fuel type situation. Thanks people, that's worth looking into. It won't be my problem with the J41, but quite likely (now) that's a whole different issue. I've been away the last day so haven't had a chance to try it, but hopefully in the next couple of days. To Ryan, if you get it again, check to see what your engine gauges are telling you. N1 or N2 dropping, ITT's dropping, etc.? That might be the giveaway.

 

Thanks again - sounds like this might be it.

I'll use the Jet A1 next flight.  Sounds pretty convincing to me :clapping:

Interesting.  I knew about using Jet A1 for colder regions; never thought it would effect flying around thunderstorms.  I'll have to pay closer attention to my temps next time it happens.  Good advice.

 

Chris K.

 

 

You can't use anti-ice or de-ice on takeoffs for instance

It's perfectly fine to use engine anti-ice on take-off, but you do need to calculate this into your take-off numbers.

 

Cheers,

Markus

 

 

The "ICE DETECTED" is a message, it is not a Warning. 
 
When the "ICE DETECTED" message is received there is NO input required by the pilot. 

Sir,

I'm afraid you're wrong on this one. The "ICE DETECTED" is an alert, and it is activated whenever ice BUILD UP is detected, so you'd be well advised to act on this alert... and you must, as stated within the normal operation procedures. It is required to activate both engine and airfoil anti-ice whenever this message is displayed, if airborne.

 

Again, anti-ice activation is NOT automatic!

 

Markus

Markus,

 

Did you know that an Automatic Anit-ice System that engaged automatically when required was an option on the MD-11?

 

Billy Bluestar

Hi all,

 

The only problem I have experienced has been with fuel icing, flying over Greenland in the winter, not very bright I must admit but that was before I found out about different fuels and the fact the MD11 doesn't have fuel heaters like a Boeing. Ended up with a glider and learning how to restart the engines in flight, very quickly!!

 

Happy flying

Boeing 737's don't have fuel heaters. Neither does the 747 or 777. Can't speak for the 787 or 727. 717 does, but that's because it's basically an MD90 which also does, along with the MD80 and DC9.

Don't remember any fuel heaters on the 767 either.

 

The way 747's manage fuel freezing is having massive internal tanks (centre tank) under the fuselage/cabin which is heated (ie the passengers).

 

The way 777's manage fuel freezing is by gliding to the grass area just short of runway 27R at Heathrow and crashing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways_Flight_38

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA5VB4KwOBQ

Are you guys positive you're not seeing a temperature related issue here? Especially in station weather mode it's very common to see FSX go nuts with the temperature and start setting it to unrealistically high values - this will stop the plane from climbing or maintaining altitude dead in its tracks because it's making already thin air even thinner with the huge temp increase.

 

I've never heard of any specific issue related to icing with the MD-11 at support here in the many years its been on the market - we definitely did not model any effects of icing in the flight model or anything.