VFR heated pitot
sprucemoose said:
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