Pitot tube temperature...

FlyGuy9k4

FlyGuy9k4

Old Skool
So .. I have looked through all the manuals, repair manuals under part 43 etc etc, and I can not find anywhere what the actual TEMPERATURE of a pitot tube gets. I understand its based on the volts of the components and type of pitot tube, as well as total electrical system voltage avail. watts, etc etc... but...

Can anyone give a scholarly ball park as to what temperature the pitot tube actually emits or gives off? I know sometimes after landing we have to make sure no one goes near the front of the nose and touch the tube or else they could get burnt if it was left on after landing.... so... how HOT does it really get??

thanks!
 
Hot enough to burn people!

Really don't know the actual number, but I never thought enough to care. ;)
 
Bandit_Driver said:
Freakin hot...It will just melt your skin in about 1/2 a second...
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Some newjack at DL grabbed one when I was there. Definitely looked painful. If you look from the right angle you can actually see the heat coming off of them. Same with rain, it pretty much boils/evaporates right when it lands on it.
 
I know when I was saying good bye to passenger this summer on the Dash (we aren't sexy enough to get a jetway) my arm brushed up against it and it literally melted 4 or 5 layers of skin off of my arm. That was after it sat for 3 or 4 minutes with no power.
 
Apparently certain CFIs advocate a pitot heat check by turning on the pitot heat and waiting for the tube to warm up...determined by touching. (Think 172.) I wince every time I see it. Ammeter is good enough for me.

On my Beechcraft, if you did that, you'd be losing skin.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
Apparently certain CFIs advocate a pitot heat check by turning on the pitot heat and waiting for the tube to warm up...determined by touching. (Think 172.) I wince every time I see it. Ammeter is good enough for me.

On my Beechcraft, if you did that, you'd be losing skin.
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I seem to recall that being in the book when I flew the 402. Apparently they were heated to only half temperature on the ground. Never felt like pressing my luck.
 
One wonders how many TSA inspectors have been scarred (but avoided making into the news for damaging aircraft!) by hot sensors. :)
 
coa787 said:
Not just CFIs, but large flight schools, as well. :)
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More power to 'em, but I'm chicken when it comes to my epidermis and other layers. I'll look at the ammeter drop when I turn the switch on. If I'm really really nervous, I'll go find a laser thermometer.
 
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