Under icing conditions, how should the ice protection mode selector be adjusted?

In icing conditions, the ice protection mode selector should be adjusted to AUTO. This setting automatically activates the necessary ice protection systems as required, ensuring optimal performance and safety during flight. The AUTO mode utilizes sensors that monitor environmental conditions and detect ice formation, allowing the aircraft’s systems to engage without pilot intervention when icing conditions are present.

This setting is critical because it helps maintain the aircraft's performance by preventing ice accumulation on critical surfaces such as wings, leading edges, and tail sections. By automatically managing the ice protection systems, pilots can focus on other aspects of flying rather than constantly monitoring and manually adjusting the ice protection settings.

Selecting OFF, STANDBY, or MANUAL does not provide the same level of protection. OFF would deactivate the ice protection systems entirely, STANDBY would not engage the systems unless manually initiated under specific conditions, and MANUAL would require the pilot to continuously monitor and manage the systems, which could lead to a delay in responding to ice formation.