Pitot-static system

A

azaviator08

New Member
Does anyone have a good reference or know the errors of the pitot-static system specific to a piper warrior pitot-tube. It has the drain seperate from the tube and the tube just contains ram air and 2 static sources. It is strange when you try to explain it because every book has the pitot and drain together and then the static source seperate. If the whole pitot tube gets iced over the drain will the drain still be open? Does anyone know where the actual drains are on the airplane? I know that there are two buttons on the pilot side where you can drain the system. But, where does this drain to? I've been struggling a little bit when explaining this to my students because I am really unsure myself.
 
I thought there was drain on the pitot mast of pipers. I could be wrong seeing it has been a while since I've flown one.
 
Still doesn't really answer my question. I know for a fact (you can look in the POH) that the pitot tube has 3 holes. I for ram air and 2 static holes. The drain is seperate. I just want to know what will the errors be especially relating to this system because of its differences.
 
Why do you believe moving the location of the holes would change the kind of errors the pitot static system might experience?

Differences in location can change the probability of experiencing a problem, but the same "plumbing" applies.
 
So lets say the whole pitot tube got iced over. All of the pitot static instruments would be affected. Except the drain whole would remain unblocked. So the ASI would read 0, Altimeter would be frozen, and VSI read 0. Can anybody think of a reason why the drain whole would become blocked? Because to me this seems impossible.:confused:
 
azaviator08 said:
So lets say the whole pitot tube got iced over. All of the pitot static instruments would be affected. Except the drain whole would remain unblocked. So the ASI would read 0, Altimeter would be frozen, and VSI read 0. Can anybody think of a reason why the drain whole would become blocked? Because to me this seems impossible.:confused:
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If the pitot tube gets iced over, only the airspeed indicator will be effected. The Altimeter and VSI work on static air only.
 
Now I am not familiar with the warrior specifically, but the Arrow has the exact same pitot tube. I don't recall any separate drain hole? It had 3 holes: one for ram air, one for drain, and one static port. Who told you, or where did you read, that those two holes are both static ports? If they are, then where is the drain hole?
 
shdw said:
Now I am not familiar with the warrior specifically, but the Arrow has the exact same pitot tube. I don't recall any separate drain hole? It had 3 holes: one for ram air, one for drain, and one static port. Who told you, or where did you read, that those two holes are both static ports? If they are, then where is the drain hole?
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Trying to figure that one out for myself. Front is ram air, bottom is drain, back is static. Same as on the Diamonds.
 
The piper series has a Pitot mast... The front hole is for the ram air, the hole on the bottom is the drain hole and the small pinpoint hole on the rear of the mast is the static port... there is only one drain hole and that is the one on the mast... There is an alternate static source that is located under the dash on the pilot's side. Feels like a small butterfly valve.. Otherwise, I have no idea what you are refering too.. there is no drain ability for the pilot to clear the system (so to speak) from the cockpit..
 
Maurus said:
Trying to figure that one out for myself. Front is ram air, bottom is drain, back is static. Same as on the Diamonds.
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I thought maybe some mechanic thought they would play a practical joke on the pilots by cutting a pin size hole under the rudder and saying it was the pitots tubes drain hole. :insane:

PS If anyone cares the official name appears to be "Piper Blade Pitot Tube." But interestingly enough I cannot find any of them for sale or with schematics. All I can find is stinken covers for them.
 
juskl said:
there is no drain ability for the pilot to clear the system (so to speak) from the cockpit..
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The Warrior/Archer & both the Arrow, and the Seminole have manual drains for the pitot/static system on the left side cabin wall, just below the pilot's seat. Draining the system is part of the preflight checklist.
 
Mike H said:
The Warrior/Archer & both the Arrow, and the Seminole have manual drains for the pitot/static system on the left side cabin wall, just below the pilot's seat. Draining the system is part of the preflight checklist.
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Not on older models.
 
update: the pitot/static system drain was definitely on the 1977 Archer II & Warrior.

I also flew a Cherokee 180 G (1971?) a few times but I don't recall if it had the drains in it
 
Yep, I am an idiot, it is there on the pilot's side. Just about where the seat covers it up... Only been flying the things for like... years.... and I am just now finding it.... lovely.... But yep you drain them there... there is also the drain hole on the Pitot mast as well, but the manual drains are in the cockpit.... now time for more coffee and learning what more I don't know... this happens more and more.... but I will proudly and humbly admit that there is always more I can learn... what I love about aviation..

You may be able to find out the info in the A and P text books... It is where I finally found a schematic for the Fuel/Air control unit to use for my CFI and Commercial students....
 
Isn't the drain on the bottom of the pitot mast open to the static source on the back of the pitot mast? Maybe that is what the examiner was thinking when he said they were both static sources.
 
Mike H said:
How old are you talking?
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Mike H said:
update: the pitot/static system drain was definitely on the 1977 Archer II & Warrior.

I also flew a Cherokee 180 G (1971?) a few times but I don't recall if it had the drains in it
Click to expand...

The Cherokee-140's at my school don't have drains. They are from 1975 and 1976. My father's 1972 Arrow II doesn't have the drains either.
 
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