Pitot tube cover

[joshmck]

Any ideas on where to get a pitot tube cover for our newly acquired 12? Can’t seem to find one on the Vans site

 

[jsalley]

Got mine here:

Van's Aircraft 5/16" Flexible Cap Pitot Tube Cover w/ RBF Streamer | Got Plugz, LLC

Our 5/16" Cap Pitot Tube covers are constructed from Flexible Plastic Vinyl. The pitot tube cover includes an eye-catching bright red safety streamer with bright white text reading REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT. This is one of the highest quality streamers available on the market.

www.gotplugz.com

 

[DeltaRomeo]

Red shop rag and weak clamp. I always start my preflight by taking that rag off of my pitot tube. Then, as I walk around the airplane, I've got a shop rag in my hand! I use it more times than not <g>.

 

[funflying]

I got some misc plugs from Harbor Freight and in the group was a red one that fit. I cut a small slit so it wouldn’t be air tight, and had a small tag I could hang on it. I use the other plugs for various applications.

 

[DaleB]

I attached a red "REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT" streamer to a tennis ball and cut a slit to fit over the pitot. Slips on and stays there. This is on an older -12 with the pitot through the spinner.

 

[joshmck]

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[Bob Y]

I use this static-wick cover. Just shorten it a bit.

Safeway 5” Wick-Tector® Static Wick Cover - Select Quantity

Protect your static wicks and ground crew with these non-temperature sensitive and crack-resistant vinyl tubes. They cover the wicks, mark the wings and remind you to remove before flight. 16” flag, 5” red vinyl sleeve Fits Dayton-Granger P/N 16930 MPN:Single: SFW 7101-5i3 Pack: SFW 7101-5

aviationdepot.com

 

[DHeal]

Small length of plastic or rubber tubing with a warning streamer attached to the end. Be sure that the end of the cover has a small* air hole so that you don't over-pressurize the pitot system when you slide the cover on.

* Small enough to keep water, bugs, and critters out but large enough for the passage of some air.

 

[N8DAV8R]

Simpler is always better, but maybe this is a case where overthinking is a good idea. Something that attaches to the tube but can also rotate freely and is weighted such that a flag/streamer always stays up in a vertical position would be good. You would be able to see this from the inside, which has some value on the RV-12 since the pitot is out in front of you when sitting in the plane. You would be able to see it while getting ready to start the engine.

You probably don't need to ask where this idea comes from. Remove before flight! But...what about a runup for maintenance purposes?!?

 

[bobrath]

Cub we owned had similar type of pitot. We bought a small flapper valve style of pitot cover. It attaches to the tube and opens when there's enough ram pressure, then falls to closed position when the airflow drops to zero. May be available at Spruce, not sure. Never failed.

 

[Piper J3]

Vinyl screw thread protector, spiral key ring, and "Remove Before Flight"

 

[mbell]

Got mine here:

Van's Aircraft 5/16" Flexible Cap Pitot Tube Cover w/ RBF Streamer | Got Plugz, LLC

Our 5/16" Cap Pitot Tube covers are constructed from Flexible Plastic Vinyl. The pitot tube cover includes an eye-catching bright red safety streamer with bright white text reading REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT. This is one of the highest quality streamers available on the market.

www.gotplugz.com

This one does the job. And also fits the E-Props propeller.

 

[Dan B]

Any ideas on where to get a pitot tube cover for our newly acquired 12? Can’t seem to find one on the Vans site

Tennis ball with orange, yellow, or red ribbon streamer attached.

 

[rv12is]

3d printed one (customized with n-number) and attached to a keychain that Van's gave away one year at OSH. It's big enough to be noticeable, but hopefully not big enough to do much damage if/when I forget to remove it before starting the engine.



I can provide the design files if anyone else wants to print one.