Preventing Premature Pitot Perishing

[No longer active on TMGA]

The Phoenix pitot/static tube is in a vulnerable place on the leading edge of the wing, where anyone bigger than a four year-old can walk into it. Once it's bent, don't count on unbending it without cracking it. Your airspeed won't work without it, so you are sort of grounded, unless you consider the ASI "optional equipment".

Part of the problem is the factory's dull black and red coloring blends with the pavement on the airport ramp. What to do? A couple feet of half-inch wide yellow tape can save you the cost of a new pitot, and keep you flying. Cheap, easy, (probably) effective - see the attached picture.

I still insert the pitot into the wing just before I get into the glider, then remove it as soon as I get out after the flight - that's the best way to protect it.

[Randy Roth]

Great idea. We could use more.

[Russowens]

If your pitot/static tube breaks, don't throw it away. A friend of mine walked into mine about 20 seconds after I put it on and as I was getting into the cockpit. It broke the tube, but I later had it repaired for $25 worth of welding and some grinding. After installation of new O rings (see Jim's Phoenix blog), it works great and I carry it as a spare.

Now I have the yellow tape mod. Thanks Eric.