Heated Pitot / AOA install in RV 9
- Thread starter Surfdoc
- Start date
DBRV10
Active Member
Mount it on the outer inspection cover. Run tubes through snap bushings or run a conduit for tubes and wiring behind the spar.
airguy
Active Member
As David noted above - or mount it on the wing close enough to the inspection cover that you can reach inside to the connections easily. In my installation I left a "service loop" of both tubing runs and the wiring so that I can pull the pitot head off the mast and drop it down vertically out of the wing far enough to reach my connections externally without having to fight with tools through the small inspection port. I can access the inspection port to wiretie the service loop in place, and cut it loose for removal.
DBRV10
Active Member
Yes......think ahead. Every time you do something think about the poor bastard that has to repair/replace etc. It might be you! 
I love removing wing tanks too.......(said nobody ever)
I love removing wing tanks too.......(said nobody ever)
Patrick J Wenzel
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2019
- Messages
- 22
We're in the prossess of installing this probe onto our flying club RV9A.
Had to install the probe inboard of the aileron bell crank/rib to mitigate interference with the left wing tiedown rope.
We'll be running white PVC water conduit which has a slightly larger diameter than the grey/orange PVC electrical conduit and actually weighs less. There is more than enough room in the white stuff to accommodate both pneumatic lines and the electrical wiring to/from the heater, and then some.
The conduit needs to be installed as three seperate sections so they are short enough to feed through the inspection ports. We are choosing not to interconnect the three sections above the access covers but there is certainly scope and connectors available to do so.
We're attaching the conduit to the ribs using P/N "LHMS-S5-D" cable holders pop-riveted to the rib lightening holes.
In our application we're faced with the challenge of potentially connecting all of this behind rib in dark places. :-/
I'm not thrilled at the idea but I suspect we'll have to cut the aluminium probe lines and install a second set of AN fittings to allow "dropping" the probe down through the gretz mount to connect/disconnect, although I can foresee interference issues with the control column-to-aileron bellcrank interconnect rod and the upper edge of the gretz mount if we're not careful how we bend the lines back.
Constructive criticism welcomed.
Had to install the probe inboard of the aileron bell crank/rib to mitigate interference with the left wing tiedown rope.
We'll be running white PVC water conduit which has a slightly larger diameter than the grey/orange PVC electrical conduit and actually weighs less. There is more than enough room in the white stuff to accommodate both pneumatic lines and the electrical wiring to/from the heater, and then some.
The conduit needs to be installed as three seperate sections so they are short enough to feed through the inspection ports. We are choosing not to interconnect the three sections above the access covers but there is certainly scope and connectors available to do so.
We're attaching the conduit to the ribs using P/N "LHMS-S5-D" cable holders pop-riveted to the rib lightening holes.
In our application we're faced with the challenge of potentially connecting all of this behind rib in dark places. :-/
I'm not thrilled at the idea but I suspect we'll have to cut the aluminium probe lines and install a second set of AN fittings to allow "dropping" the probe down through the gretz mount to connect/disconnect, although I can foresee interference issues with the control column-to-aileron bellcrank interconnect rod and the upper edge of the gretz mount if we're not careful how we bend the lines back.
Constructive criticism welcomed.
jakej
Well-Known Member
"Had to install the probe inboard of the aileron bell crank/rib to mitigate interference with the left wing tie down rope"
FWIW - I've been installing the pitot in the outboard inspection panels since 1990 without any issues with tie downs. Straight down from the ring to a cable or at an acute angle outwards (thinks camping days) works well - many have copied the inspection panel idea for good reason.
FWIW - I've been installing the pitot in the outboard inspection panels since 1990 without any issues with tie downs. Straight down from the ring to a cable or at an acute angle outwards (thinks camping days) works well - many have copied the inspection panel idea for good reason.
Patrick J Wenzel
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2019
- Messages
- 22
Definitely great feedback Jake, especially for the 99% of builders who aren't in our shoes.
In our case we have to accommodate everything to the lowest common denominator (i.e. someone who doesn't look after club property and treat the aircraft as if it was their own. Rare but it does happen and the result is usually expensive, from our experience).
If this were my own aircraft I would have followed the same path you suggest.
As for the routing cables in an established aircraft our method is just another alternative for consideration.
*Edited for spelling and grammar
In our case we have to accommodate everything to the lowest common denominator (i.e. someone who doesn't look after club property and treat the aircraft as if it was their own. Rare but it does happen and the result is usually expensive, from our experience).
If this were my own aircraft I would have followed the same path you suggest.
As for the routing cables in an established aircraft our method is just another alternative for consideration.
*Edited for spelling and grammar
Raymo
I love aviation!
Also have my pitot tube installed on the outboard inspection panel with a stiffener plate on the panel.