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Pitot tube location adding inspection plate

danlh

Well Known Member
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It seems that most are installing their pitot tubes in the bay outboard of the aileron bellcrank. Has anyone considered going out 2 bays and adding an inspection plate that the Garmin installation kit could be used on. It seems like this would:
Allow installation per Garmin recommendation
Be less conflict with the tie down location
There is an access panel kit included with the wing kit for the stall warning. I was thinking this could be repurposed.
Thanks for any advice.
Thanks, Dan
 
It seems that most are installing their pitot tubes in the bay outboard of the aileron bellcrank. Has anyone considered going out 2 bays and adding an inspection plate that the Garmin installation kit could be used on. It seems like this would:
Allow installation per Garmin recommendation
Be less conflict with the tie down location
There is an access panel kit included with the wing kit for the stall warning. I was thinking this could be repurposed.
Thanks for any advice.
Thanks, Dan
I went one bay over on the 10. Easy enough to reach in there through the lightening holes.
 
I went one bay over on the 10. Easy enough to reach in there through the lightening holes.
Dan,

Larry's solution is a good one. As someone with multiple pitot tubes, the interference with the wing tie-down is a "thing" with the plans location on the -4 immediately adjacent to the bell crank. Before turning the airplane into an AOA test-bed, I used the original Van's bent tube, which I simply un-bolted if I had to tie down. Now I have to be uber cautious with the left wing and avoid having to tie down as much as possible (i.e., grab hangar space when cross-country). Consider going outboard vs inboard to mitigate any potential prop wash effect.

Cheers,

Vac
 
Mine's installed at the location per the plans. Easy access through the existing access panel and it doesn't interfere with anything. My advice is don't overthink it.
 
I overthought it :) and installed it more OB and more fwd. Even though Garmin finally said the spar location was acceptable, all their other guidance says fwd is better. Also I didn't want it anywhere near the the tie down. I saw a couple of certified airplanes that had it in this location. I just used the GAP 26 installation kit directly on the skin with a doubler without an access plate. I might regret that if it ever gets damaged but I'll leave it off until wing attach.

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-Bob
 
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