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-   -   Heated Pitot tube-recommendations? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=63922)

guccidude1 10-20-2010 08:19 PM

Heated Pitot tube-remcomendations?
 
A little detour to provide added info on the thread, the Dynon Pitot can be used on the MGL EFIS systems, my buddy (RV-7A) has one installed. Dan

The Wizzard 11-11-2010 03:19 PM

thanks for all the help
 
I think I am going to go with the gretz model. The mounting seems simple enough and can be used universally.

floydpackard 11-29-2010 01:07 PM

Just for reference. I have the Dynon heated pitot. I have had problems with it icing up in IMC 4 times. I have contaced Dynon and had it replaced once and it still ices up. It happens when I am up high and very cold and I don't think it is the tube that is icing up but that there is not an adequate water drain hole. It lets water get past the heated parts and then it freezes up in the wing. I am looking to replace it with a used cessna tube or perhaps a falcon.
Floyd

The Wizzard 11-29-2010 06:01 PM

Floyd, thanks for the intell, I think I am going to use the Gretz tube although the Falcon is a great one as well.

Joe 11-30-2010 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydpackard (Post 489062)
Just for reference. I have the Dynon heated pitot. I have had problems with it icing up in IMC 4 times.

Floyd, are you using that heated pitot with a Dynon EFIS? If so, how did the EFIS perform when the pitot was iced up? Did it go into its "GPS assist" mode and if so, how was the attitude information? (Perhaps this was your first indication it was iced up.)

Thanks,
Joe

Brantel 11-30-2010 07:30 AM

I am asking this question not to be smart or to criticize. I am really curious if it is normal practice or not....Is it wise to fly an RV in the soup above the freezing level anyway? Seems that RV's are far from being capable of handling icing conditions so how does this impact their usability in IMC?

bkthomps 11-30-2010 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brantel (Post 489322)
I am asking this question not to be smart or to criticize. I am really curious if it is normal practice or not....Is it wise to fly an RV in the soup above the freezing level anyway? Seems that RV's are far from being capable of handling icing conditions so how does this impact their usability in IMC?

could be descending through a thin layer, lots of ways he could have encountered this without being necessarily out of operating conditions

floydpackard 11-30-2010 10:17 AM

I fly with a GRT Hx. When the pitot gets plugged the efis continues to function without a problem. The indicated airspeed drops off and the efis starts to show greater and greater tail winds as the efis calculates the ground speed against the indicated airspeed. All other parts of the efis are unaffected.

When I go through IMC in sub zero conditions I keep a back door ie above freezing below and visual conditions below. I find that with the performance of the rv and good back doors you can get on top (as long as you know where the reported tops are). What ice is picked up sublimates off. It is not unusual for me to travel in the flight levels to stay above layers. I do not stay in the clouds but am always searching for layers and tops and change altitudes readily. If I begin to pick up ice my first move is usually up I do not stay in it.

I know flying in possible icing conditions is controversial. Some will not fly through any cloud that is below freezing level. Others will look for ways to mitigate risks. The question of the thread was about heated pitot tubes. I felt it would be benificial to have data points in actual conditions. I have lost indicated airspeed with no air frame icing at all just very cold with ice crystals in the air. Dynon is a very good company and they have been responsive to me in replacing the tube. I could be wrong but in my opinion there is still a design flaw that does not hold up to actual conditions. But then again perhaps no tube does all the time hence the dual tubes on commercial.

Also as another data point. TT VSGV loses vertical control with no or low indicated airspeed (as it should). The wing level still works

Hope this helps
Floyd

LifeofReiley 11-30-2010 06:37 PM

well...
 
a little different here... the Piper Flat Blade, pitot heated and static in one. FWIW, I would not install a heated pilot if I did it over again, does nothing for me.

scard 11-30-2010 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeofReiley (Post 489532)
a little different here... the Piper Flat Blade, pitot heated and static in one. FWIW, I would not install a heated pilot if I did it over again, does nothing for me.

Depends on the mission. I'm installing a heated pitot again. I have switched it on a handful of times and was glad it was there.


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