![]() |
Sometimes, you just have to sit back and enjoy the hilarity...
So for several work sessions, over the past couple weeks, I've been agonizing over my pitot tube position. Inboard of the bellcrank? Just outboard? Further outboard? Out at the wingtip?
I spent literal hours clamping the mast here and there, envisioning line routing, thinking of what I'd need to fabricate to secure things, considering what it'd be like to have to remove the pitot down the road for maintenance, etc etc etc. I even went so far as to test how the hard lines heated up to get an idea of how much I might be able to trim them. After all of this, I finally settled. It was going to go one bay out from the bellcrank, against the outboard rib. So tonight was the night to make the cut and commit. Despite my agonizing, I was comfortable with my choice and didn't second-guess myself at all. It didn't even feel that odd making a hole in the skin. Maybe it should have felt odd, because I put the hole in the wrong *** place, one bay outboard from my intended location. I'm not even upset about it, just thoroughly amused at the irony of it all. This location is perfectly workable, I'll just need to lengthen the wiring harness between the tube and heat controller a bit. Maybe that's the funniest part, how completely at peace I am with it not being in my carefully-chosen location. Almost amusingly anticlimactic. Just gotta build on... ![]() |
Haha that?s a great story! I do the same things.. overthinking sometimes but feel better when I actually just do it! Question, do you need any access to behind the pitot tube ever? Maybe a good idea at fabricate a doubler and access panel? I see the benefits of it being on the factory panel that accesses the bell crank, but I also see the desire to pick an empty bay.
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
I had to go retrace my lines once to remind myself that I should have done it while building. |
Colored tubing
Quote:
https://www.steinair.com/product-category/pitot-static/ ![]() |
Quote:
You realize this means you're going to have to build another identical airplane with the mast in your intended location and perform a complete flight test regime to get experimental data confirming whether the location matters, right? |
Quote:
|
Don't fight it
Your sub conscious mind wanted it there anyway... good choice!
|
Congratulations! Your RV is already unique and you haven't gotten to the canopy yet!
|
Phillip,
You will thank yourself later, AOA/pitot lines access not withstanding, for this outboard location. When you tie down your airplane, the pitot tube won?t be in the way. And - you won?t need to bring as much rope, because airport tie downs are for long winged Cessnas, not short winged RV?s, so you will always need to bring your own tie down ropes/straps. If your access to plumbing/wiring isn?t adequate, just add another inspection opening. Nobody will see it, unless they are buying it, and they will appreciate your thoughtful consideration of your design. I think you have found the perfect spot for your pitot tube. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:09 AM. |