Pitot tube blocked?

[sinanziric]

I saw pitot heater switch in my plane, does that means my pitot tube could freeze at higher altitude if i don't turn on my pitot heaters?
Does it work? cause i have never experienced wrong indication on my static instruments..

[PilatusTurbo]

Don't think it's actually simulated, but, because the VCs of so many FS planes are now immaculately modeled, it's included.

Others will chime in, but I've never run into any issue with static stuff freezing up. :ernae:

[dhasdell]

I am not sure whether it was in the Pilatus or the Maule, but I flew in Switzerland recently and realised my ASi wasn't working. Switching on the pitot heater brought it back to life. I was so impressed that I told Mrs H, who reacted with her usual interest.

[Daube]

Don't think it's actually simulated, but, because the VCs of so many FS planes are now immaculately modeled, it's included.

Others will chime in, but I've never run into any issue with static stuff freezing up. :ernae:

Yes it is simulated in FSX, including on the default planes.
If you don't set the pitot heat, your airspeed gauge will quickly stop working.

[sinanziric]

I am not sure whether it was in the Pilatus or the Maule, but I flew in Switzerland recently and realised my ASi wasn't working. Switching on the pitot heater brought it back to life. I was so impressed that I told Mrs H, who reacted with her usual interest.

Can you link me to those planes i would like to test i suppose tat Pilatus is Flight1 ver.? or were you flying for real :mixedsmi:

[dhasdell]

The Pilatus is pc-6c_h2turboporter.zip. Probably FlightSim.

[falcon409]

As long as the Pitot Heat switch is modeled, I make sure it's turned on before I taxi as more often than not it's effect is modeled. As Daube mentions, if you don't turn it on, under certain conditions the ASI will quit working.:salute:

[Naruto-kun]

There is actually a variable in FSX for pitot icing percentage ie 0% == unblocked, 100% == totally blocked. And yes Pitot heat gets rid of icing. Airframe icing also exists in FSX for that matter....

[paiken]

...as well as carburetor icing on piston planes. Flying in clouds in the winter almost always causes carburetor and pitot tube icing.

[PilatusTurbo]

Well, hell, I gotta go fly one of my piston planes up into high clouds on a cold day. I wanna see the air frame ice effect! :ernae: Wonder if she'll actually start losing speed and increasing angle of attack, or stalling even.... That would be too cool. :salute:

[Daube]

Well, hell, I gotta go fly one of my piston planes up into high clouds on a cold day. I wanna see the air frame ice effect! :ernae: Wonder if she'll actually start losing speed and increasing angle of attack, or stalling even.... That would be too cool. :salute:

When FSX went available, there were a lot of messages on the forums from people complaining about the 747's suddently dropping in a stall from level flights.
Icing "visuals" are not modelled in the default planes, but the effects are there, as far as I know.

[sinanziric]

Well, hell, I gotta go fly one of my piston planes up into high clouds on a cold day. I wanna see the air frame ice effect! :ernae: Wonder if she'll actually start losing speed and increasing angle of attack, or stalling even.... That would be too cool. :salute:

Same here

Actually I might make a nice video out of this experiment

[centuryseries]

Pitot heat definitely does work in FSX. Noticed it on my SR-71 in certain weather conditions when I forgot to turn on pitot heat for take-off and part of the climb.

[Naruto-kun]

Pity they dont simulate friction temperature since the SR-71 shouldnt even need airframe anti ice......

[MarkH]

Don't think it's actually simulated

Yes it is simulated, happens all the time. (Okay, not all the time but you know hat I mean...)

[stansdds]

Yes, icing is simulated in FSX. I've had the ASI begin to give lower and lower airspeed readings, yet the GPS indicated no change in ground speed. Switching "on" the pitot heat solved the issue with the ASI. I go to the Jeppesen general aviation maps weather page before starting a flight to look for winds, turbulence and icing conditions along my flight plan.

[centuryseries]

Pity they dont simulate friction temperature since the SR-71 shouldnt even need airframe anti ice......

Technically the SR-71 doesn't have any airframe de-ice except for one of the front panes of glass to enable the pilot to see! It didnt get supersonic until 30,000ft then once supersonic the pitot heat wasnt needed anymore I believe that is modelled in FSX. However the crews never intentionally flew through storm clouds and other systems that would cause airframe icing, of course once you're above all that you can fly wherever you like!