Gretz Heated Pitot

[Capflyer]

I have a while before flying with it but I am impressed with it after mounting the control unit. According to the instructions, it uses a 10A circuit breaker or fuse for a 12v system. They say nothing about a switch becuase it is automatic but I intend to mount one so it can be turned off completely if not needed or in an electrical emergency.

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by sprucemoose

I have the Gretz heated tube and like it very much. In
the north, I think a heated pitot is a good investment,
even on a VFR airplane.

Why is a heated pitot tube good for a VFR plane. I know even some VFR
Cessna's have them and many people learned on those and are influenced but
that. Also I know the bent tube Van has standard is not sexy, but with the
cost, weight and electrical load (needing a larger alternator), why?

You can NOT get any ice unless the temp is below 32F (0C) and you
are in visible moisture. Visible moisture can be clouds, fog or mist (less
than 1 miles vis). It is not possible to get ice with out both temp and visible
moisture. Avoid clouds = no ice.

I know some one will say you can be in VFR conditions and have freezing
drizzle or rain fall on to you. True, but it is visible moisture below freezing.
Also, you are in deep dodo if that happens to you. As a pilot, VFR or IFR
rated, you should know better and have received a WX brief. If you are in
freezing rain/drizzle the visibility will marginal VFR or worse. Even if IFR rated
and on an IFR flight plan you will loose thrust, lift and visibility with a iced
over windscreen. It could be bad news heated pitot or not.

One thing is with GPS we can use ground speed as an approx substitute for
airspeed and with a good static (alternate) we also have altitude.

Save your money and avoid icing conditions and the heated pitot unless you
plan on flying in cloud routinely (aka IFR). Other wise you are wasting your
money and adding weight in my opinion.

George

[gh6gh6]

I bought the new Gretz pitot and bracket. One of the bushings turned in the space age stuff the pitot is made of. I shipped it back to Gretz, he installed a new oversize bushing and threw in a new bracket as the first one was damaged getting the bushing out. Gretz had the pitot back to me in 3 weeks. He doesn't answer the phone much or emails at all but I am pleased.

Ian

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot

Also I know the bent tube Van has standard is not sexy, but with the
cost, weight and electrical load (needing a larger alternator), why?

You're right, it's not "sexy". In fact, it can't stand the looks of the standard bent tube! Happily I got my heated pitot tube and Gretz mount, back in the day's when the whole thing could be had for less than $300.00 including shipping. The same tube now retails for over $1850 without the mount!

So that's my personal "why", just in case someone ask's!

L.Adamson