Static port drilled in fuse wrong bulkhead Argh!!

Davea320 · #1 01-20-2020, 04:11 PM

After studying the drawing 28 (RV7) numerous times to determine the exact location to drill in fuse skin, I ended up measuring and drilling referencing the wrong fuse bulkhead. So, I call Van?s this morning and they say no big deal. Can?t tell me if it will affect the static system or not. In other words I won?t know if I get wrong input from static port until flying. My static port will be approximately 2 feet forward of where Van?s calls out the proper hole location.

Has anyone out there done this and have any ill effects with the static system?

I can drill new holes in correct location and ?fill in? the wrong 1/4? hole now or just roll the dice and hope all works well.

Lots of aircraft I?ve flown have a more forward static port, but Van?s must?ve put it that far aft for a reason. Open to all opinions.

Dave

wirejock · #2 01-20-2020, 04:17 PM

You have one each side so did you drill both or just one?
I would fill and redrill in the correct location. My opinion.

Davea320 · #3 01-20-2020, 04:25 PM

Oh no. I was on a roll and drilled both holes.

Dave

bjdecker · #4 01-20-2020, 04:30 PM

Just my opinion -- patch it, put the static port in the location as per the plans.

Don't wig-out about the patch; just debur both sides of the hole, slather a little JB Weld on a small piece of scrap aluminum (1/2" square or thereabouts) and glue it to the back side of the fuse skin, scrape off the excess that oozes out, then sand flat when dry.

jdiehl · #5 01-20-2020, 04:30 PM

Dave, I hesitate to admit, but I did exactly as you did a few years back. Absolutely no adverse affect on airspeed pitot/static.

Jim @lock Haven, Pa
7A

Ralph Inkster · #6 01-20-2020, 04:31 PM

Static port has been depicted in both locations over the years & different plans sets. Static error is one of the things you validate in the Flight Test process.

rightrudder · #7 01-20-2020, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjdecker

Just my opinion -- patch it, put the static port in the location as per the plans.

Don't wig-out about the patch; just debur both sides of the hole, slather a little JB Weld on a small piece of scrap aluminum (1/2" square or thereabouts) and glue it to the back side of the fuse skin, scrape off the excess that oozes out, then sand flat when dry.

Or dimple it and set a nice flush rivet in there!

Davea320 · #8 01-20-2020, 04:44 PM

Already drilled to full size. 1/4?

rocketman1988 · #9 01-20-2020, 04:50 PM

Or use two nested tinnerman countersunk washers with a #6 screw. Never see it and it closes the hole perfectly...

gmcjetpilot · #10 01-20-2020, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davea320

Already drilled to full size. 1/4”

Install static Ports and move on.... it will make little to no difference. Not even Van can make their mind up.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=97509

Keep in mind there is NO PERFECT PLACE FOR A STATIC PORT. THE BEST PLACE IS ABOUT 100 FEET BEHIND THE RUDDER..... Seriously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZsi4A5PcTw

Airflow around the skin of the airplane, corkscrew air from prop SUCKS everywhere around the fuselage.... It is all a compromise. Cessna puts the static port on one side behind the firewall, terrible place and single port. However good enough for a certified GA plane.

Having both ports at the the same station is good. It will cancel out the error from slip and skid. As long as you are aft of the wing trailing edge you are good. Piper use to put the static port on the pitot (blade shape combo pitot and static).

When you do your test flying you will test indicated verses actual AS. You will fly GPS ground speed (triangle hdgs 120 apart) and average it out GPS and compare to IAS. You will be within a few MPH of indicated. It never will be perfect. If you are worried do like the video and get a good static source and compare to your static source.