I'm a bit perplexed about the pitot install. I've looked though countless builder sites and threads and believe I must be overthinking this. At issue: after the mast is installed, how is everybody getting the pitot assembly through the mast?
More specifically, if the tubing left close to it's original length (Garmin doesn't recommend cutting) and the bends in the tubing have been made, how is the pitot installed/removed?
It's easy to understand how the entire unit (mast and pitot) can be installed and then the bottom skin put into place, but I'm having a hard time visualizing installing the mast and then putting the pitot assembly though the mast with the bends made? If the assembly is installed after the bends are made, how can it be removed, replaced, or serviced? I understand that this is a simple device and that servicing or removal of the pitot is rare, but there is a chance that the element could quit, a leak could occur between the pitot tubing and the fitting, etc.
The builder sites I've checked have some very nice plumbing, but the skin has not been installed.
On the other hand, I haven't found any comments about any difficulty in installing the pitot though the mast after the bends have been made.
Is everybody installing the pitot before the bottom skin goes on and hoping that there are no issues?
More specifically, if the tubing left close to it's original length (Garmin doesn't recommend cutting) and the bends in the tubing have been made, how is the pitot installed/removed?
It's easy to understand how the entire unit (mast and pitot) can be installed and then the bottom skin put into place, but I'm having a hard time visualizing installing the mast and then putting the pitot assembly though the mast with the bends made? If the assembly is installed after the bends are made, how can it be removed, replaced, or serviced? I understand that this is a simple device and that servicing or removal of the pitot is rare, but there is a chance that the element could quit, a leak could occur between the pitot tubing and the fitting, etc.
The builder sites I've checked have some very nice plumbing, but the skin has not been installed.
On the other hand, I haven't found any comments about any difficulty in installing the pitot though the mast after the bends have been made.
Is everybody installing the pitot before the bottom skin goes on and hoping that there are no issues?