Heated Pitots on (many) RV's is a waste of money
AX-O said:
Note: Not to be used in known icing conditions. Requires pitot bracket for installation (not incl). For experimental aircraft only.?
If you search "pitot" and my member name you will read my "stand" or rant-N-rave.
I will not repeat the whole rant, but to summarize you can NEVER fly in KNOWN ICE. Never-ever-never-never-never. Illegal, dangerous and dumb.
Fact, a heated pitot is NOT required for IFR flight. It is not required for any thing.
If you are either NOT in cloud (visible mosture say less than 1 mile vis) and/or the temp is not at or below freezing you will not get ice.End or the story. Avoid clouds or freezing temps (0C to -10C clear, -10C to -20 rime).
So if its warmer than 32F or colder than -4F - NO ICE.
Also so what if you get a trace of light ice. A non heated pitot will work fine. What if you ice over the pitot? Use your GPS ground speed, get out of it ASAP, land and kick your self in the........for making un-wise PIC decisions.
My OPINION or comment is DO YOU REALLY NEED A HEATED PITOT? I know VFR guys that install them because they look cool or the C172 they flew had one.
If you are flying in ice in a light single engine, single pilot plane you are doing it wrong. I have flown LOTS in ice flying as a CFI-Inst and part 135 Freight dog in tired old twins, many with "known ICE" approved equip. I just would avoid any ice like the pledge.
Now if you are a hard core IFR pilot than by all means get a heated pitot. However is you survive icing, let it be very clear from a FAA, NTSB legal stand point if you get INTO IT, you are now in KNOWN ICE. You are basically illegal because NOW YOU KNOW. If there is no emergency than fine. However I would not volunteer PIREPS that you go ICIING in your RV to ATC or FSS. People have been severely penalized. Now we all know flying IFR you get that little frost over the windscreen or trace or light ice on sharp objects, no big deal and a heated pitot is not going to do much.
Bottom line HEATED PITOT is a semi-oxymoron for a single engine airplane that can't fly in ice. It is not like a low time IFR pilot risking his/her life by flying in low IFR, legal but low. ICE is a 100% no, no and you don't have a legal or safe choice IMHO. Last heated pitot's are very expensive, draw big current and add weight and complexity and drag.
PLEASE STAY OUT OF ICE OR FLYING IN CONDITIONS THAT INDICATE ICING (Sigmets, Airmets, Pireps, FA's for icing and temps in the freezing range with cloud at intended altitudes.) Have I got into sticky situations? Yes and they where in known ICE planes. I have seen turboprops slow down 10 kts and nose pitch down (requiring more nose up trim) in the matter of 20 seconds. That is a twin with +2000 hp. I would not want to do that in a 180 hp RV.
It's one of my pet peeves. So when you read a heated pitot is not for KNOW ICE, than you know why, its not a smart thing to do.