Simviation Forums

Hi Guys:
My airspeed indicator does not work (registers 0) when I fly in "Heavy Snow" or "Winter Wonderland" weather modes. Has Santa put a jinx on my FS9???

Pitot heat ....


The pitot tube is icing up  (it's where the airspeed indicator gets its info)

Hi Guys:
My airspeed indicator does not work (registers 0) when I fly in "Heavy Snow" or "Winter Wonderland" weather modes. Has Santa put a jinx on my FS9???

He sure did in the form of a frozen pitot tube turn on the anti ice. In the real world these tubes are usually kept covered (when not flying) so wasps and dirt daubers do not build nests in them. AS a clog tube will have the same effect as a frozen one. 8-)

I believe this is one big flaw of MSFS
Why? I will quote myself from an older reply regarding this very subject

[quote]

The ASI will only read zero if the pitot tube clogs up on the ground.
If it happens in flight you would'nt really notice a difference until you either
Descend : Airspeed will drop
Climb: Airspeed will increase

Remember that if it freezes inflight the ice just seals the pressure inside the "membrane" (dont know the english term, capsule maybe?)
As you descend static pressure around you will increase which results in the airspeed drop.

/Nexus

I can only speak with first-hand knowledge about planes I've flown. If the pitot tube has a drain, it must freeze over too, else you can and will get zero IAS in flight

Very true, I assume that drain hole is glogged aswell (static is still open), my bad.

I'm just trying to explain  another version of the infamous pitot tube freezing.
It doesn't necessarily mean ASI reading of 0