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Pitot Static System


I used neoprene tube, connectors and rubber grommets for all of my pitot static system. I ran the tube from the back of the instruments, down the left gear box, under the floor, and out the left wing or into the tail.  Either conduit or rubber grommets protect the tube as it passes through bulkheads.  Having seen old plastic lines become brittle and crumble, I opted for neoprene.  Pushing on the connectors is a lot easier too.

Pitot tubing parts

Pitot

Pitot tube routingI ran the pitot (and because I have the Dynon, I also ran AOA) as shown in the Vans plans. I did have to drill an extra hole in each wing rib for the AOA line.  I used a rubber grommet in each hole to protect the neoprene.  I pushed the neoprene line onto the metal ends of the pitot tube and secured them with worm clamps.  I wanted to be able to pull the wings off without having to cut the hose, so I used straight connectors at the wing root.  If I ever pull the wings, it will be important to mark the two lines.  I would not want to reconnect them backwards -- it could lead to some really strange airspeed and AOA readings.

Pitot tube routing

Pitot tube connection
Pitot tube routing

Pitot tube mast

Static

I ran the static line back on the left side of the fuselage into the tail, and used a T connector to hook the tube to both static ports.  I made the ports by drilling holes through the fuselage skin just below the F-887 upper longerons.  I then pulled a large blind rivet (not a cherrymax) from the outside, and drilled the center pin out.  The neoprene hose fit tight around the “shop head” of the rivet, but I also used two-part epoxy to glue it in place.  I made use of the bracket from the remote compass to secure the tube by the static ports.  A couple of zip ties hold the lines secure and take the weight off the connection with the rivet.


Exterior view of static port
Exterior view of static port

Interior view of static port Interior view of static port
Interior view of static portInterior view of static port

I split the lines behind the instrument panel to feed the various inputs.  I used the plastic T’s to connect the each line to several instruments.  The AOA only connects to the Dynon, but the other two provide input to multiple instruments.

All of my electric wires and all of these lines run down the left side of the fuselage.  This was a lot of stuff to pass through the holes in the main spar.  I know the pitot and AOA needed to run down the left to go out the left wing.  But the rest could be run down the right side of the fuselage just as easily.  It may actually be easier to run everything and clamp it out of the way of the aileron pushrods if you split it up between the left and right sides. Click here for more info on wire routing in this area.





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