alternate air?

[Jpm757]

I am using Van's horizontal induction snorkel and the supplied alternate air door. I was able to make some modifications includung adding spring washers, that allow the door to be opened AND closed using a ratcheting Bowden cable. 300+ hrs. and no issues.

[Noah]

Originally Posted by Tom Martin

The design of this one reduces the possibility of parts injection greatly. All moving parts are outside the air box unlike the old doors on previous models.

I'm not familiar with the RV-14 Alt Air Door design on a snorkel - it's different than the design used on previous models? How about a photo of the hardware or the plans?

[rvbuilder2002]

Originally Posted by turbo

you don't need to be in clouds to get carb ice.

Just so no one gets confused.....
The alternate induction air systems provided in RV kits being discussed here have nothing to do with carb ice, and they will not prevent nor mitigate it if it has developed.

They are for use when the induction system is plugged with ice because of airframe ice accumulation that is also effecting the induction air filter.

Carb heat for use to prevent or mitigate carb ice, is a totally different system.

[larrys]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

Just so no one gets confused.....
The alternate induction air systems provided in RV kits being discussed here have nothing to do with carb ice, and they will not prevent nor mitigate it if it has developed.

They are for use when the induction system is plugged with ice because of airframe ice accumulation that is also effecting the induction air filter.

Carb heat for use to prevent or mitigate carb ice, is a totally different system.

Thanks for your clarification. The 14 is injected and that is why I started the tread. It was not heated air so what was the point. But on the issue of Ice as in icy rain. That makes sense.
Thanks, Larry

[Discus2b]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

Lack of a reply here in this forum would hopefully never be considered a definitive answer to a question such as this......

In the earlier years of RV kits, since they were marketed as primarily sport flying airplanes, there was no alternate air system engineered for the engine induction air system (in fact the very early RV-3 & 4 systems didn't even have an air filter).

Builders continued to expand the mission profile of the airplanes, even to night IFR operations.
It was a double fatality during IFR flight into (forecast) icing conditions that instigated the development of an alternate induction air system for all of the airplane models.

Thank you for the background info. leading to the alt.air design change. I tend to be curious how aircrafts evolve. Misfortune in this case improved safety, as is often the case.
R

[TimO]

In response to an earlier comment, here's a bit of trivia I just googled because I had heard it before:

From this article just picking the first source on the list:
https://www.flyingmag.com/pilot-tech...rument-rating/

"More than half the pilots eventually get an instrument rating but only a small percentage of those maintain instrument currency. One association president said a while back that only 15 percent of its instrument-rated members were instrument current."

So when someone says "Most are not", that's not really accurate. Most eventually will be, may be closer to the truth.

Either way, I feel an instrument rating is worth it for any pilot.

[snoop9erdog]

Originally Posted by Jpm757

I am using Van's horizontal induction snorkel and the supplied alternate air door. I was able to make some modifications includung adding spring washers, that allow the door to be opened AND closed using a ratcheting Bowden cable. 300+ hrs. and no issues.

Jake send me some pics of your mod if you can.

Thx

[Ender]

@TimO I agree completely. I would also think that there is a larger percentage of -10 and -14 owners with a IFR as the mission of the planes tends to be primarily focused to xcountry compared to the prior models.

What I tell every VFR pilot when they ask me if they should get their IFR - It will make you a MUCH better and more confident VFR pilot.

[kbalch]

Originally Posted by Ender

What I tell every VFR pilot when they ask me if they should get their IFR - It will make you a MUCH better and more confident VFR pilot.

Absolutely. I also advocate for a good 10-hour basic aerobatic course, a tailwheel endorsement, and a commercial rating for the same reason. Glider flying, too.

Really, anything one can do to acquire (and encourage others to do so) varied additional aviation experience will be to the good.

The aerobatic course, especially, will make for a better and more confident VFR pilot - what with the elimination of unusual attitudes and the experience of utilizing full control deflections as/when necessary.

[bmarvel]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

Lack of a reply here in this forum would hopefully never be considered a definitive answer to a question such as this......

In the earlier years of RV kits, since they were marketed as primarily sport flying airplanes, there was no alternate air system engineered for the engine induction air system (in fact the very early RV-3 & 4 systems didn't even have an air filter).

Builders continued to expand the mission profile of the airplanes, even to night IFR operations.
It was a double fatality during IFR flight into (forecast) icing conditions that instigated the development of an alternate induction air system for all of the airplane models.

I am very familiar with both that fatal accident in California and another non-fatal in Illinois where an RV-10 made an off airport landing due to engine failure. In both cases the cause was snow buildup which blocked the air filter. My -14A has the alternate air system installed per the plans and although I have never had to use it, the system is there if needed.