Moisture in pitot

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8466
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Name: Thayne I
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Moisture in pitot

Post by 8466 »

I took off the other day just above freezing on a clear day and as I climbed the airspeed initially climbed then slowly decreased at the same pitch and power until it went to zero. I turned around and landed uneventfully. I went to my mechanic and explained what happened and he said sounds like moisture in the pitot tube and since there is no drain it has to evaporate naturally or get get blown out. He was right when I flew the next time on a warmer day the a/s indicator worked normally. What should I do to prevent this? Any suggestions?

Cloudancer
Happy flying. :D
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6643
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Re: Moisture in pitot

Post by 6643 »

Do you have a cover on the pitot tube? I've had that happen with the static system, but never the pitot system, which has a cover.
8466
Posts: 63
Joined: Fri May 17, 2019 12:11 am
Location: N87
Name: Thayne I
Aircraft Type: C-140
Occupation-Interests: Retired Airline Pilot
Contact:

Re: Moisture in pitot

Post by 8466 »

No, because it has a built in cover that opens at aircraft movement, and I cannot find a pitot cover that fits. So since this has happened I am in the midst of making one.
Happy flying. :D
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6643
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Re: Moisture in pitot

Post by 6643 »

8466 wrote: Thu Jan 16, 2020 9:18 am it has a built in cover that opens at aircraft movement
that's actually what I was thinking of. It'll work fine as long as you don't have a strong wind right on the nose. Get a girl's (gender neutral?) hair tie. Put it around the pitot tube behind the cover, give it a half twist, then put it around the cover and pitot tube. Repeat the half twist if it's too loose.
8466
Posts: 63
Joined: Fri May 17, 2019 12:11 am
Location: N87
Name: Thayne I
Aircraft Type: C-140
Occupation-Interests: Retired Airline Pilot
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Re: Moisture in pitot

Post by 8466 »

I will do that.thank you
Happy flying. :D
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