Brief Description: Fit Pitot Tube Bracket to Left Wing
I have decided to install a heated pitot tube with integrated AOA sensing. I purched the new Garmin GAP 26 regulated Pitot/AOA probe. I already have the mounting kit from Gretz Aero which is the standard AN5814 mount. I decided to mount the probe 2 ribs outboard of the aileron bellcrank to clear the wing tie down eyelet. The backing plate has a jog in it that is riveted to the flange of the wing spar and skin. This allows the plate to sit flush against the back of the wing skin. The jog did not have enough offset to match the thickness of the spar flange so I had to increase this by mounting the flange in a vise and using a block of wood and mallet to increase the offset. Next, I fabricated a brace from a piece of .032 x 3/4" angle aluminum 2 1/2" long that would be riveted to the rib and the backing plate. I used a couple of cleco clamps to secure the angle to the rib and backing plate to the angle and spar flange. I used a straight edge across the ribs to make sure the plate was flush with the top of the ribs. Next, I drilled the angle to the rib with 4 #30 holes and to the backing plate with 4 #40 holes. I also match drilled the spar flange rivet holes to the backing plate. Last, I drilled the remaining #40 holes in the backing plate as called for in the Gretz instructions. Next time I will finish the probe bracket installation.
