Gretz Pitot Questions

[Rupester]

I'm well along with the install of my Gretz heated pitot; bracket is drilled, dimpled primed...everything fits .. looking good. It occurred to me at 4:00am this morning (c'mon - admit it- you have those nights too ) that the final installation - including tightening the 1/4" fittings - will have to be done thru the access cover. Do ya'll agree wi'dat? From what I see, the bottom skin has to go on over the mounting bracket and plate, and then the pitot itself must go in. Tell me there's an easier way.

 

[Davepar]

Correct. Rivet bottom skin on, install bracket, install pitot tube. I bent the tubing on the pitot tube toward the access hole, so it wasn't too hard to get at.

 

[Rupester]

Argghhh. I was afraid of that. Now I have to rethink my circuit board bracket, since it was going to obscure the big lightening hole I now know I need to access the 1/4" fittings. Looks like another 3:30am problem solving session.

Thanks for the affirmation, Dave.

TR

 

[smithhb]

Here you go

I just did this yesterday...
http://www.flightinnovations.com/wings4.html#Gretz_Pitot_Install

Don't forget to dimple the (4) #8 screw holes for attaching the mount in the bottom skin before you have the bottom skin half-riveted to the wing... Those two top (forward-most) holes can't be reached with a squeezer.

I riveted the bottom skin about halfway and, while peeling the skin back, connected the pitot tube to the plastic pitot line and safety wired.