I installed the Pitot tube with safety wire and adhesive. I ended up spending an inordinate amount of time making sure thewing and tube were level. Afterwards I realized that at the speeds this airplanes flies it probably wouldn’t make much difference if the tube was not perfectly in line with the wing. I drilled the hole in the rear spar for the tubing but did not install it yet. I’ll do that just prior to covering.
8/2/14 Installing the pitot tube now is a mistake. The tube is going to make it difficult when I cover the wing with fabric. It is also vulnerable to being damaged while I move the wing around during construction.
Installing the pitot tube according to the build manual is also a mistake. The tube is installed with hysol. If I ever damage the tube it will be nearly impossible to replace it while working through a 3 inch inspection hole.
I removed the pitot tube. I was able to carefully cut away the hysol with my Dremel tool without damaging the rib or the tube. I was planning to install an inspection ring under the pitot tube anyway. When I’m done covering the wing I can install the pitot tube by inserting it through the hole in the rib cap and then securing it in place with safety wire. No need for the hysol.
This is going to make life much easier when I cover the wing and in the event the tube gets damaged someday.
