In icing conditions, how should anti-ice systems be configured on the A320?

• A. Activate wing anti-ice only on the ground.
• B. Deactivate engine anti-ice unless required.
• C. Activate both wing and engine anti-ice at all times.
• D. Activate wing anti-ice for wing icing; activate engine anti-ice as required for engine icing per SOP and conditions.

Answer: (D)

When flying in icing conditions, apply anti-ice where ice is likely to form, and avoid wasting fuel by running systems without need. Wing anti-ice is used to keep the wing leading edges clear of ice, so you activate it when wing icing is possible or detected (through the environment or the ice detection system). Engine anti-ice protects the engine inlet and related components from ice, and you use it as required by SOP and the actual icing conditions. In practice, you heat the wings for wing icing, and you switch engine anti-ice on only when the conditions call for it per procedures. That balanced approach keeps aircraft performance safe while avoiding unnecessary consumption.