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Alternate Static

Capflyer

Well Known Member
Just curious if others have plumbed and how you did it or or doing it for a alternate static source?

My thought was to add a t-fitting to the static line coming through the side of the cockpit but it may be rather awkward in flight to actually have to deal with that if the need arose.
 
I have a T-Fitting just under the panel but easy to access. The two outer connections are hose barbs connected to the static lines and the center is a threaded compression fitting. I use a thin plastic dust cap over this threaded fitting. In the unlikely event I need alternate static I would just unscrew/pull off that dust cap. There's a little fuel lube on the threads. After 4 years there has been no problem.

The threaded fitting also provide a place to attach to the static system for the Pitot-static check. I have a small hose assembly that fits the threaded fitting and makes it easy for the instrument shop to perform the test.

John Allen
 
Here is a snip of a post from the rv-list. While this info is from my 6A, I did the same thing on my 8. Here is a pic
altstatic.jpg

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I have had my static ports clog twice in heavy rain(you know the bucket
type) in my 6A. ARGH! Not fun. I think the rain puts a little rain drop
just inside the port, both sides, and those drops just sit there and
mess with your static system. It's a terrible thing to have happen in a
plane that loves to whiz bang through altitude. The VSI is an important
gage for me in the soup. Bad things happen when it starts sending you
through altitudes for the wrong reasons. It was one of my worst times in
hard IFR. Anyway, enough rant on that...

Answer:
I went into my box of R/C stuff and retrieved a fuel line bulkhead
fitting. Little plastic bugger. You can buy one from tower hobbies. Part
number LXG851
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXG851&P=7 .


I put this tiny bulkhead fitting in my panel, teed off static line
behind the panel. On the front side of the panel, where the bulkhead is
attached, I have a short piece of r/c fuel line, 1/4 inch long maybe
with a plug in it.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXG848&P=7 part number
lxg48.

When my static ports clog, I just pull the fuel line with the plug stuck
in it right off the panel and let the static vent to cabin. Simple
Install, quick emergency procedure, and very effective.
I spent nothing cause I had this stuff laying around, but you can do it
for less than 10$, and have enough stuff for 2 planes.

Oh and as a side note, when you pull this plug in flight, WHOAA, does
the static and altimeter go bazerko until it settles back down. Takes
maybe 10 seconds. The pressure difference between out and in is
substantial.

Also as another note: For those that don't know, Altrak Alt. hold
suppliments in pitch stability reference with static source. With altrak
alt hold engaged, I can pull the plug off, vent static to cabin, watch
the alt. and VSI go whacky, and the altrak holds steady. A tribute to
its realibility on its gryo as primary and static as a backup.

Hope this was helpful
 
Last edited:
Alt Static

I ran the static line forward under the pilots arm rest and through F704, made a bracket under arm rest for a "T" in the line. Used a fuel quick drain for the alt. static valve. Works good.
 
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