MONTY THE ANSWER MAN ARCHIVE

PITOT / STATIC SYSTEM

PITOT TUBES...(6699)
From: Yves Starreveld <ystarrev@julian.uwo.ca>
Hi, All,
I am looking for a replacement pitot tube, but have not been able to find one through standard sources. Is it a special item? Does anyone have one they would be willing to part with? Also, I would like to install landing lights, to be able to carry a passenger after dusk. Does anyone have drawings detailing their installation in the wheel wells? Thanks in advance... Yves

I do not know about dealing with the CN MOT so I am not going to talk about pitot tubes other than to say maybe it would be best to keeping looking for an original to avoid paperwork problems. -- Steve Wilson <SteveWlson@aol.com>

Yves:
I don't know what difficulty you would have with your DOT up there in Canada using anything other than a stock pitot. There have been numerous different pitot tubes "field approved" in the US and I seem to remember an STC'ed AT-6 type that came straight out of the leading edge - but don't use that - it doesn't work! An AN5812 mounted on a length of streamline tubing about 15" long will work, but I don't know about the approval. See the aircraft catalogues. I had one of those on N2334B and it was very accurate. -- Jim

NO AIRSPEED FOR YOU! (AUG 03)
Subj: Air Speed Indicator
From: Dave Jewell <jewell.jewell@verizon.net>
Jim,
I want to replace my air speed indicator and I called a well know instrument shop in the mid-west to get a price on a certified air speed. I was asked for the pilot operating handbook so he could put the speed markings on the instrument. I told him that there was no pilot operating handbook for the Swift, and at that point he questioned whether the Swift was a certified airplane. He told me his FAA person would not sign off the certification of the instrument unless I provided documentation for the speed indications and it needed to come from some official document when the airplane was originally certified. He also explained that his instruments are built to the same standard, whether certified or not, and if I wanted an uncertified instrument that he'd be glad to send one. Do you have any thoughts on this? By the way, would you have any idea where I could find an original set of yokes. Someone painted mine with some kind of black plastic material and I'd like to have the original color back. -- Dave Jewell N1948J

Dave
Simply go to the Swift Web Site and print the Aircraft Specification A-766 which is the Type Certificate. It has all the required numbers there. Level flight or climb 140 mph (122 knots) Glide or dive 185 mph (161 knots) Flaps extended 90 mph (78 knots) Back in 1946, they didn't require the stall speed to be marked but the manufacturer advertised a 48 mph stall speed. Regarding the yokes, I think you can strip and sandblast them, then repaint them. -- Jim

STATIC PORTS... (JAN 04)
From: Jim Montague <Swift31B@aol.com>
Subject: Swift static ports
Denis
I had a question by phone and I had to look up the answer so I said "email me." I never did hear back but here is the answer.
Q. What location works best for the static ports?
A. A letter from Temco dated Dec. 10, 1952 states "Location of static port. The most satisfactory location for the static port is at fuselage station 122, vertical location optional from center line of fuselage to 3" above." Charlie Nelson sent me the letter which they had on file in Athens. I tried to get the FAA to use it as acceptable data but ran into a stone wall. They want a test installation and a full flight test with certified instrumentation. I know there are field approvals out there so if someone would send me a copy of their 337 form I might be able to do something. A 337 form dated before 10-01-55 is considered approved data. If we had one of those it would be great! If anyone has the static ports relocated and a 337 dated before 10-01-55 PLEASE let me know immediately! -- Jim