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Current crop of pitot tubes

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danlist(at)syz.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:34 am Post subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

Hi all.  I'm working on an RV-10 and am at the point now of  

considering what kind of pitot tube to put in the thing.  The bent  

aluminum tube idea, though functional, doesn't really appeal to me.



Though I'm not an IFR pilot at the moment, I don't intend to remain  

that way indefinitely, and I'd like to future-proof the plane as much  

as practical.  So I'm looking at putting in a heated pitot.  Up until  

now I've been assuming I'd go with a Gretz pitot - I like the idea of  

its internal temperature regulation rather than just running at  

maximum current draw the whole time it's on.  But of course now that  

I'm actually ready to get one it appears as though they're not  

currently being manufactured and I haven't found anywhere that has  

them in stock.



So what other options could anyone out there suggest?



Thanks!



Dan

--

Syzygy Research & Technology

Box 83, Legal, AB  T0G 1L0 Canada

Phone: 780-961-2213

rv(at)thelefflers.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:03 am Post subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

I just purchased one from Aircraft Spruce a couple weeks ago, but they

appear to be out now.



This was posted on the Gretz site:



NOTICE:   Gretz Aero, LLC, has been forced to stop production of this

wonderful product, the GA-1000.  The reasons are two-fold.  First, I cannot

keep up with the current demand for the GA-1000 and second, the company that

has been providing the composite molding material has drastically raised

their prices and minimum order requirements.  I have found another company

who can provide the same molding material at a reduced cost and lower

minimum order quantities.  However, at this point I feel the time has come

for me to cut back on my current Gretz Aero workload.  I enjoy developing

new aviation products.  Selling this part of my business would allow me the

time to bring some of my ideas into product. I fully expect to continue with

the mounting bracket part of the business.  If anyone is interested in

purchasing the GA-1000 and GA-500 part of my business, I would be willing to

negotiate.  I can be reached at 208-834-2312 or 208-863-7045.



This is too bad.   This was a great product.



--

wgill10(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:01 am Post subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

The chrome Gretz mount with the Dynon heated pitot or Dynon's heated

pitot with angle-of-attack looks very nice...and works great.



Bill

RV-7



--

corey.crawford(at)gmail.c
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:27 am Post subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

Does anyone know if the Dynon pitot with angle-of-attack would connect to/work with an AOA Sport? I'd love to avoid drilling any holes in my QB wings ..



--

 Corey Crawford

 RV-7A - Denver, CO

 On Fri, Apr 25, 2008 at 10:57 AM, William Gill <wgill10(at)comcast.net (wgill10(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

[quote] --> RV-List message posted by: "William Gill" <wgill10(at)comcast.net (wgill10(at)comcast.net)>

 

 The chrome Gretz mount with the Dynon heated pitot or Dynon's heated

 pitot with angle-of-attack looks very nice...and works great.

 

 Bill

 RV-7

 



[b]

khorton01(at)rogers.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

You need to match the pressure source (i.e. the holes, either on the pitot tube, or the wing) to the sensor.  So, if you want the Dynon pitot, then you need to use their EFIS to calculate the AOA.  If you want the AOA Sport system, you need to put the holes where they tell you to.



This is not a plug and play system, where you can mix and match pressure source and sensor, as there are no agreed upon standards for the pressure source.

Kevin Horton



On 25 Apr 2008, at 18:23, Corey Crawford wrote:

[quote]Does anyone know if the Dynon pitot with angle-of-attack would connect to/work with an AOA Sport? I'd love to avoid drilling any holes in my QB wings ..



--

 Corey Crawford

 RV-7A - Denver, CO

 On Fri, Apr 25, 2008 at 10:57 AM, William Gill <wgill10(at)comcast.net (wgill10(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

[quote]  [quote][b]

gmcjetpilot

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 170

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:21 am Post subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

Before I make my two suggestions here is why you should not install one.

   

  Deviation for Vans plans will add weight, cost and build time. Yes you are right you don't need a heated pitot as a VFR pilot. In fact you don't need one for an IFR plane either (please read the regs before you dispute this). As a pilot with over 12,000 hrs and many 1000's of yours in IMC you can't get icing unless you are in cloud or in freezing precipitation and the temp is below freezing. Very simple no mosture no ice. No freezing or sub-freezing temp no ice. Avoid one or both no ice. So you get into icing in your IFR RV-10 when you get your rating. FIRST you should have your ticket taken back since you should NOT be in icing. You have  no business being in it, and if you wounder into it, you should get out of it ASAP, climb, descend or 180 degree. If you collect ice on your airframe that you see, you are in icing conditions and now have  violated FAR's and also common sense. My point is do you really need a heated pitot? No. Run some wires out there, but leave it off. So what if you pitot gets blocked, you loose what airspeed? Well you have GPS ground speed. However some "experimental EFIS" do use airspeed or change in airspeed (ie acceleration) to resolve some accelerometer error. Even still they work with out airspeed I am told (Dynon).

   

  If you must have a heated pitot, Dynon makes one for their EFIS with AOA. 

   

  http://www.dynonavionics.com/docs/D180_Feature_AOA.html

   

  And these guys make a heated version for experimental's:

   

  http://www.gretzaero.com/

   

  They both have some interesting temp control deal which is nice to keep from burning it out if you  leave it on. Your other choice is ACS or some salvage yard Cessna or Piper heated pitot, which are old and tired.

   

  Bottom line its going to be about $500 of STUFF sitting out on your wing when you get it all wired with CB and a few pounds more. 

   

  Cheers George

   

   

  *************************************************************************************

  Time: 01:34:02 AM PST US

From: Dan Charrois <danlist(at)syz.com>

Subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

Hi all.  I'm working on an RV-10 and am at the point now of  

considering what kind of pitot tube to put in the thing.  The bent  

aluminum tube idea, though functional, doesn't really appeal to me.



Though I'm not an IFR pilot at the moment, I don't  intend to remain  

that way indefinitely, and I'd like to future-proof the plane as much  

as practical.  So I'm looking at putting in a heated pitot.  Up until  

now I've been assuming I'd go with a Gretz pitot - I like the idea of  

its internal temperature regulation rather than just running at  

maximum current draw the whole time it's on.  But of course now that  

I'm actually ready to get one it appears as though they're not  

currently being manufactured and I haven't found anywhere that has  

them in stock.



So what other options could anyone out there suggest?



Thanks!



Dan

--

Syzygy Research & Technology

Box 83, Legal, AB  T0G 1L0 Canada

Phone: 780-961-2213

  *************************************************************************************



           Be a better friend, newshound, and   [quote][b]

rv(at)thelefflers.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:19 am Post subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

Unfortunately, Gretz Aero has suspended manufacturing of their pitot.   Warren has posted information on his web site.  Both ACS and Stein appear to be out of stock.  

From: owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of gmcjetpilot(at)yahoo.com

 Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2008 6:15 AM

 To: rv-list(at)matronics.com; danlist(at)syz.com

 Subject: Re: Current crop of pitot tubes  

Before I make my two suggestions here is why you should not install one.  

Deviation for Vans plans will add weight, cost and build time. Yes you are right you don't need a heated pitot as a VFR pilot. In fact you don't need one for an IFR plane either (please read the regs before you dispute this). As a pilot with over 12,000 hrs and many 1000's of yours in IMC you can't get icing unless you are in cloud or in freezing precipitation and the temp is below freezing. Very simple no mosture no ice. No freezing or sub-freezing temp no ice. Avoid one or both no ice. So you get into icing in your IFR RV-10 when you get your rating. FIRST you should have your ticket taken back since you should NOT be in icing. You have  no business being in it, and if you wounder into it, you should get out of it ASAP, climb, descend or 180 degree. If you collect ice on your airframe that you see, you are in icing conditions and now have violated FAR's and also common sense. My point is do you really need a heated pitot? No. Run some wires out there, but leave it off. So what if you pitot gets blocked, you loose what airspeed? Well you have GPS ground speed. However some "experimental EFIS" do use airspeed or change in airspeed (ie acceleration) to resolve some accelerometer error. Even still they work with out airspeed I am told (Dynon).  

If you must have a heated pitot, Dynon makes one for their EFIS with AOA.   

http://www.dynonavionics.com/docs/D180_Feature_AOA.html  

And these guys make a heated version for experimental's:  

http://www.gretzaero.com/  

They both have some interesting temp control deal which is nice to keep from burning it out if you leave it on. Your other choice is ACS or some salvage yard Cessna or Piper heated pitot, which are old and tired.  

Bottom line its going to be about $500 of STUFF sitting out on your wing when you get it all wired with CB and a few pounds more.   

Cheers George  

*************************************************************************************  

Time: 01:34:02 AM PST US

 From: Dan Charrois <danlist(at)syz.com>

 Subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

 Hi all.  I'm working on an RV-10 and am at the point now of  

 considering what kind of pitot tube to put in the thing.  The bent  

 aluminum tube idea, though functional, doesn't really appeal to me.

 Though I'm not an IFR pilot at the moment, I don't intend to remain  

 that way indefinitely, and I'd like to future-proof the plane as much  

 as practical.  So I'm looking at putting in a heated pitot.  Up until  

 now I've been assuming I'd go with a Gretz pitot - I like the idea of  

 its internal temperature regulation rather than just running at  

 maximum current draw the whole time it's on.  But of course now that  

 I'm actually ready to get one it appears as though they're not  

 currently being manufactured and I haven't found anywhere that has  

 them in stock.

 So what other options could anyone out there suggest?

 Thanks!

 Dan

 --

 Syzygy Research & Technology

 Box 83, Legal, AB  T0G 1L0 Canada

 Phone: 780-961-2213  

*************************************************************************************  

Be a better friend, newshound, and    	  Quote: 	
		    http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV-List 	
0 	  Quote: 	

1 	  Quote: 	

2 	  Quote: 	

3 	  Quote: 	

4 	  Quote: 	

5 	  Quote: 	

6 	  Quote: 	

7 	  Quote: 	

8 	  Quote: 	

9

      [quote][b]

timb

Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Location: Frankston, Texas

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:15 am Post subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

George,  

   

I almost really hate to post this considering all things but I cannot agree with your assessment in whole.  I also am an IFR pilot and you are right but…  You cannot always guarantee you will not be in ice just because you don’t want to.  I have flown into clouds on an IFR flight plan with no expected icing.  I did not have icing equipment but flew right into an ice situation where it built up very quickly and then quit (about 15 seconds).  I had two choices: either turn around and fly back through it or keep going and hope to avoid any more.  With ice on the prop, wings, pitot, and windscreen I had a big problem.  I was flying a C170 B with the 180 HP engine and constant speed prop.  I was thankful to have the big engine because I lost 500 feet altitude (was given lower by ATC) and was still flying at very low airspeed.  If I remember right I was pitched up to about 75 MPH just to maintain my altitude. Thankfully I did have a heated pitot because my airspeed indication was critical.  It was one thing I badly needed and thankfully had.  

   

After crossing the Big Bear mountains, I was given a descent into the palm springs area.  Even well after getting out of the clouds I was IFR due to the ice on the windscreen.  It shed off much later as I got down below 4000’.  The short of this is, if one is going to fly IFR, whether required or not and even if not expected to get into ice, a heated pitot is a smart choice.  I have the Gretz in my RV-6.  

   

Call me stupid if you want, but I was really glad I had it, and never intended to experience the opportunity to need it.  

   

Tim  

RV-6  

IFR with heated pitot.  

           

  

From: owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of gmcjetpilot(at)yahoo.com

 Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2008 5:15 AM

 To: rv-list(at)matronics.com; danlist(at)syz.com

 Subject: Re: Current crop of pitot tubes  

  

     

Before I make my two suggestions here is why you should not install one.  

    

   

    

Deviation for Vans plans will add weight, cost and build time. Yes you are right you don't need a heated pitot as a VFR pilot. In fact you don't need one for an IFR plane either (please read the regs before you dispute this). As a pilot with over 12,000 hrs and many 1000's of yours in IMC you can't get icing unless you are in cloud or in freezing precipitation and the temp is below freezing. Very simple no mosture no ice. No freezing or sub-freezing temp no ice. Avoid one or both no ice. So you get into icing in your IFR RV-10 when you get your rating. FIRST you should have your ticket taken back since you should NOT be in icing. You have  no business being in it, and if you wounder into it, you should get out of it ASAP, climb, descend or 180 degree. If you collect ice on your airframe that you see, you are in icing conditions and now have violated FAR's and also common sense. My point is do you really need a heated pitot? No. Run some wires out there, but leave it off. So what if you pitot gets blocked, you loose what airspeed? Well you have GPS ground speed. However some "experimental EFIS" do use airspeed or change in airspeed (ie acceleration) to resolve some accelerometer error. Even still they work with out airspeed I am told (Dynon).  

    

   

    

If you must have a heated pitot, Dynon makes one for their EFIS with AOA.   

    

   

    

http://www.dynonavionics.com/docs/D180_Feature_AOA.html  

    

   

    

And these guys make a heated version for experimental's:  

    

   

    

http://www.gretzaero.com/  

    

   

    

They both have some interesting temp control deal which is nice to keep from burning it out if you leave it on. Your other choice is ACS or some salvage yard Cessna or Piper heated pitot, which are old and tired.  

    

   

    

Bottom line its going to be about $500 of STUFF sitting out on your wing when you get it all wired with CB and a few pounds more.   

    

   

    

Cheers George  

    

   

    

   

    

*************************************************************************************  

    

Time: 01:34:02 AM PST US

 From: Dan Charrois <danlist(at)syz.com>

 Subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

 

 

 Hi all.  I'm working on an RV-10 and am at the point now of  

 considering what kind of pitot tube to put in the thing.  The bent  

 aluminum tube idea, though functional, doesn't really appeal to me.

 

 Though I'm not an IFR pilot at the moment, I don't intend to remain  

 that way indefinitely, and I'd like to future-proof the plane as much  

 as practical.  So I'm looking at putting in a heated pitot.  Up until  

 now I've been assuming I'd go with a Gretz pitot - I like the idea of  

 its internal temperature regulation rather than just running at  

 maximum current draw the whole time it's on.  But of course now that  

 I'm actually ready to get one it appears as though they're not  

 currently being manufactured and I haven't found anywhere that has  

 them in stock.

 

 So what other options could anyone out there suggest?

 

 Thanks!

 

 Dan

 --

 Syzygy Research & Technology

 Box 83, Legal, AB  T0G 1L0 Canada

 Phone: 780-961-2213  

    

*************************************************************************************  

  

        

  

Be a better friend, newshound, and    	  Quote: 	
		    http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV-List 	
0 	  Quote: 	
		   	
1 	  Quote: 	
		   	
2 	  Quote: 	
		   	
3 	  Quote: 	
		   	
4 	  Quote: 	
		   	
5 	  Quote: 	
		   	
6 	  Quote: 	
		   	
7 	  Quote: 	
		   	
8 	  Quote: 	
		   	
9

  

       [quote][b]

_________________
Tim Bryan
RV-6 Flying
N616TB

kearney(at)shaw.ca
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

George  

   

There are a few too many absolutes in your post. For a/c not certified for “known icing”, unexpectedly encountering icing is not a FAR violation – it is however a dangerous situation. FAR’s prohibit intentional flight into “known icing”.    

   

Having a heated pitot in my PA28 or my in -10 (still in pieces) does not mean that I intend to get into an icing situation. It does mean that I am taking reasonable safety precautions to help me manage the situation in the unlikely event that it does happen. This same attitude means that I would not buy a car without airbags even though I do not intend to get into an accident.  

   

I am sure that in your 12k hours, you have seen more than a few situations where reality has not matched the forecast. Being prepared for the unexpected is just good common sense.   

   

Cheers  

   

Les        

  

From: owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of gmcjetpilot(at)yahoo.com

 Sent: April-26-08 4:15 AM

 To: rv-list(at)matronics.com; danlist(at)syz.com

 Subject: Re: Current crop of pitot tubes  

  

     

Before I make my two suggestions here is why you should not install one.  

    

   

    

Deviation for Vans plans will add weight, cost and build time. Yes you are right you don't need a heated pitot as a VFR pilot. In fact you don't need one for an IFR plane either (please read the regs before you dispute this). As a pilot with over 12,000 hrs and many 1000's of yours in IMC you can't get icing unless you are in cloud or in freezing precipitation and the temp is below freezing. Very simple no mosture no ice. No freezing or sub-freezing temp no ice. Avoid one or both no ice. So you get into icing in your IFR RV-10 when you get your rating. FIRST you should have your ticket taken back since you should NOT be in icing. You have  no business being in it, and if you wounder into it, you should get out of it ASAP, climb, descend or 180 degree. If you collect ice on your airframe that you see, you are in icing conditions and now have violated FAR's and also common sense. My point is do you really need a heated pitot? No. Run some wires out there, but leave it off. So what if you pitot gets blocked, you loose what airspeed? Well you have GPS ground speed. However some "experimental EFIS" do use airspeed or change in airspeed (ie acceleration) to resolve some accelerometer error. Even still they work with out airspeed I am told (Dynon).  

    

   

    

If you must have a heated pitot, Dynon makes one for their EFIS with AOA.   

    

   

    

http://www.dynonavionics.com/docs/D180_Feature_AOA.html  

    

   

    

And these guys make a heated version for experimental's:  

    

   

    

http://www.gretzaero.com/  

    

   

    

They both have some interesting temp control deal which is nice to keep from burning it out if you leave it on. Your other choice is ACS or some salvage yard Cessna or Piper heated pitot, which are old and tired.  

    

   

    

Bottom line its going to be about $500 of STUFF sitting out on your wing when you get it all wired with CB and a few pounds more.   

    

   

    

Cheers George  

    

   

    

   

    

*************************************************************************************  

    

Time: 01:34:02 AM PST US

 From: Dan Charrois <danlist(at)syz.com>

 Subject: Current crop of pitot tubes

 

 

 Hi all.  I'm working on an RV-10 and am at the point now of  

 considering what kind of pitot tube to put in the thing.  The bent  

 aluminum tube idea, though functional, doesn't really appeal to me.

 

 Though I'm not an IFR pilot at the moment, I don't intend to remain  

 that way indefinitely, and I'd like to future-proof the plane as much  

 as practical.  So I'm looking at putting in a heated pitot.  Up until  

 now I've been assuming I'd go with a Gretz pitot - I like the idea of  

 its internal temperature regulation rather than just running at  

 maximum current draw the whole time it's on.  But of course now that  

 I'm actually ready to get one it appears as though they're not  

 currently being manufactured and I haven't found anywhere that has  

 them in stock.

 

 So what other options could anyone out there suggest?

 

 Thanks!

 

 Dan

 --

 Syzygy Research & Technology

 Box 83, Legal, AB  T0G 1L0 Canada

 Phone: 780-961-2213  

    

*************************************************************************************  

  

        

  

Be a better friend, newshound, and    	  Quote: 	
		    http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV-List 	
0 	  Quote: 	
		   	
1 	  Quote: 	
		   	
2 	  Quote: 	
		   	
3 	  Quote: 	
		   	
4 	  Quote: 	
		   	
5 	  Quote: 	
		   	
6 	  Quote: 	
		   	
7 	  Quote: 	
		   	
8 	  Quote: 	
		   	
9

       [quote][b]

rleffler

Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 680

Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: Current crop of pitot tubes

Warren just posted an update to his site.



www.gretzaero.com



NOTICE:  Good News!!



The heated Pitot tube part of Gretz Aero, LLC is pending a sale to a new owner! This transfer of this part of the business will take place very soon. It will not be long before the GA-1000 and the GA-500 are again available under a different ownership. I hope you will be content in waiting a short time until everything is back up and running. Thank you to all of you who have contacted me and want to purchase the GA-1000 or GA-500 and are waiting until it is in production again.



I enjoy developing new aviation products.  Selling the heated Pitot part of my business will  allow me the time to bring some of my newest ideas into product. I fully expect to continue with the mounting bracket part of the business and continue to bring out new products for the aviation market.



Very soon I will make an announcement on this website disclosing the name of the new owner and provider of the GA-1000 and GA-500.   At that time I will give the contact information for the business where you can order these fine products



Warren Gretz

_________________
Bob Leffler
N410BL - Phase I
http://mykitlog.com/rleffler

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