Pitot Tube Installation
Some Other Styles and Locations


The following information & photos are examples of ways to install or modify the Pitot Tube Assembly, but are not meant to be the only way to install the pitot tube.



Click to Enlarge
         

#1 The pitot tube is integral with a static source which is the larger outer tube. The assembly is two tubes, one inside the other. The two mounting tabs are simply drilled to the assembly's diameter then bent and riveted to the root tube with stainless steel rivets. The bend angle is such that it "springs back" some after the pitot assembly is inserted thru them. This holds the pitot assembly in place while permitting easy removal should one desire. Twelve holes were drilled in the front of the static tube but I now think that's way too many. Probably half that would work just as well. I wanted the static port as close to the pitot tube's inlet as possible so as to sense the same air.

Here's a side view of the assembly. I made it long enough to protrude into (what I thought would be) undisturbed air coming off the windshield. The inside tube goes to the pitot port on the ASI. For the outside tube (static port), I drilled then filed an enlongated hole so a smaller tube could be inserted and aluminum soldered to it. The ends of the large tube were V-notched all around such that I could bend the ends down and aluminum solder them to seal off the ends to the inside tube. The angle is for relative "levelness" in flight.

         
Click to Enlarge


Click to Enlarge
         

You can see the vinyl tubing coming off the pitot and static ports in this shot. It also shows the mounting tabs better. They have worked very well and keep the tube assembly in place quite well.

There are two short vinyl tubes, one for the pitot pressure and one for the static pressure. Each goes to one of the down tubes for the back of the seat. This photo shows one of the vinyl tubes routed back to its down tube, attached to a 90° piece of plastic tubing. Longer lengths of vinyl tubing run from those 90° pieces, down inside each of the seat back tubes, secured under the seat and over along the fuselage side then up to the instrument panel and the ASI. The bottom edge of the down tubes were notched out so the vinyl tubing could exit without being pinched.

         
Click to Enlarge

Other static pitot tubes vailable at Aircraft Spruce: Static Pitot Tubes

Pitot Tube installation instructions submitted by:
Mr. Jim Hayward



We feel it important to include information pertaining to the availability of a "REMOVABLE" Pitot Tube. There have been many complaints of the pitot tube being broken off by kids at air shows, or young adults blowing into the pitot tube and another watching your ASI to see how good the other kid did. Well, after you land and get parked, just unscrew the pitot tube and put it away till you leave.

Available at Aircraft Spruce: Pitot Pal - Deluxe Kit

         


PITOT PAL INSTALLATION

Step #1) Please take a moment and inventory the following items:

  1. Pitot Pal adapter.
  2. 1/2-13 black nylon nut.
  3. 1/4" diameter aluminum Pitot tube.
  4. 6ft. of 1/4" I.D. plastic tubing (deluxe kit only).
  5. Airspeed Indicator tubing adapter (deluxe kit only).

Step#2) Drill a 1/2" diameter hole in the desired mounting location

Step#3) Insert Pitot Pal adapter through hole and secure with 1/2-13 nut. On some occasions a washer will need to be added if the mounting location is thinner than the non-threaded portion of the adapter. Hint: A little silicone will make for a watertight fit and will also help the nut from working loose.

Step#4) Install plastic tubing from Pitot Pal adapter to the air speed indicator.

Step#5) The aluminum Pitot tube may need to be sanded slightly to achieve the fit you desire. The idea is to sand the aluminum tube until it will slide into the Pitot Pal adapter approximately 1 7/16" and then press into a slightly smaller fit inside the adapter. This will lock the Pitot Tube in place and if you wish to remove it a slight twist will release it. See diagram below.




Click to Enlarge
         

Your Pitot Pal is now installed. Make sure that if you remove the Pitot Tube for any reason, that you replace it before flight.

         
Click to Enlarge

Pitot Pal installation instructions submitted by:
Mr. Mike Watson
Maker of Pitot Pal




Flexible Pitot Tube

This is a very easy way to provide a flexible pitot tube set up. It consists of a 6" piece of wire wrapped cable housing, a length of flexible tubing, rubber or gas line will work just fine, that slips over the end of the cable housing. Just drill a hole thru the nose cone point, insert the cable housing and slip the flexible tubing over it and slip the other end of the flex tube over the fitting on the airspeed indicator. Some, like myself, will want to provide some extra thickness at the inside of the cone point area for more support. If the the inside of the cone point is filled with copped fiberglass and resin prior to drilling, the the pitot is removable. If on the other hand the extra fiberglass support is added after the cable housing has been inserted it will not be removable. Both ways work fine.


Click to Enlarge
         
Click to Enlarge
         
Click to Enlarge

Pitot Tube installation instructions submitted by:
Mr. Ralph Shultz