Leak Testing your Aircraft's Pitot-Static System: Easy & Simple!

[@donepearce]

When you first apply pressure the air in the system will heat up slightly, resulting in even greater pressure. After a few seconds this heat will dissipate and the pressure will drop slightly. The result of this is that the air speed shown will drop a little, then settle. Don't confuse this initial drop with an actual leak.

[@woofmeow369]

Awesome video. Doing a worksheet on static system leak checks and this helped me out a lot. Although I will point out, the tolerances are not in 43.13, but in 25.1325.

[@experimentalairplane]

AC 43.13 section 12-58 (c) and (d) does contain the tolerances.

[@martinabud5735]

When using tape to block the static port some of the glue from the tape may change the openning of the static port hole. Make sure there is no glue or add a piece of saran warp around the tube before adding tape.

[@stephensimpson5283]

You are more than welcome. I finally building my RV-7. Using your tips makes things easier.

[@rmm9676]

Jon.. This leak test came up on the Zenith forum and the solution to the "leak" was simply covering the DRAIN HOLE of the pitot tube. Your system does not have a drain so this did not get mentioned. May help other readers and viewers to be alert to this.

[@firepilot4870]

Very neat! FYI: In the medical field we use that big 50cc syringe to inflate a bulb on the end of an airway tube that secures the tube in place inside the patient's trachea...

[@TheFlyingWheatcrofts]

My pin/drain hole at the front of the pitot (Bonanza A36) seems to have corrodeded, I cleaned it and (maybe) ome chrome broke off. It is now (not huge) 2- time the size of a pin hole, and leakas air when I blow in the front (it is ahead of the debris baffle 1/2 inch inside the pitot tube.....would this explain why my ASI is 30% to 50% my actual airpseed I saw after aborting my takeoff? Could I plug this hole to fix it?

[@PegaStol]

I messed up by applying too much pressure to the pitot while attaching the syringe. Now it’s stuck on 60 mph. Is the only fix to send it in? Thanks

[@larryhawkins8311]

Great information. Great presentation!

[@pedrochorao8245]

Hi...is it true that we cant use teflon tape in threads acrosss pitot-statuc línes?

[@sayidjonbabakhodjaev4967]

great help , thank you so much

[@mopar92]

Why did the speed go up under a vacuum on the static side? I thought the ASI worked on ONLY pressure. Thanks.

[@DysyR]

because air is thinner at higher altitudes so your planes air data computer reads atmospheric pressure from static side and then adjust airspeed in relation two altitude

[@e1jorge1e]

thanks for the video!

[@PeterPasieka]

Great information.

[@2ndbar]

How do you find the leak?

[@stealhty1]

How can we tell if the indication is accurated ?

[@F111BMATHIS]

I'm going to fit my syringe / tube with a T fitting and attach another Airspeed, or Altimeter to it to compare speed/altitude.

[@dominiqueguillerm925]

excellent !

[@maheralazzawi7814]

very good

[@1234SERGIO4321]

Hi Jon, Don't forget to leave a link in the description of all videos to your Patreon page. www.patreon.com/TipoftheWeek

[@HomebuiltHELP]

Thanks Sergio!

[@MrRandygen]

How do you calibrate the instruments? Do you have to?

[@purplemonkeydishwasher9360]

You need a calibrated pitot static pumpbox in order to verify the calibration of a pitot- static instrument.

[@lynnkramer1211]

Of course you cannot calibrate the system in this manner can you? Also if the certificated IFR system is checked an A&P IA is NOT allowed to perform the check on his own. Did you also check your mode C and S transponder? Can that be done by an amateur builder? Why are these tests even still required when we have solid state equipment installed? I could see it back in the steam punk days and vacuum tubes, but not any longer. It just another expense without much justification. None of these tests were around when my plane was built.

[@experimentalairplane]

91.411 (b)(3) says an A&P can do the static leak check described here. He can’t do any other calibration or certification though.

[@pro-nal1798]

verrrrry goooood,,,

[@ikay2102]

Great to know.

[@massimomelodia3670]

Thanks thanks thanks.....😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉

[@pitotguy5215]

Dear Sir, I liked your video. However, there are a few things that you did and stated that are incorrect. These discrepancies can cause damage to your Instruments and/or get you in trouble with the FAA. 1st - The absolute pressure inside the Pitot system must always be equal to or greater than the absolute pressure inside the Static Systen or damage to the Airspeed Indicator will result. 2nd - All aircraft wishing to fly IFR must have their Static tested and certified within the preceding 24 calendar months. 3rd - All Aircraft equipped with mode C transponders must have Mode C Altitude Data Correlation Tests performed before the first flight. You may contact me if you wish to discuss further. [e-mail] Pitot Static Guys LLC - FAA CRS #2PUR923B.

[@bhc1892]

I don't see anywhere in the video that he did or said anything incorrect. 1 - that appears to be what he did. Pressurize the pitot system, vacuum for static. 2 - he says that at 9:33. 3 - you're right but his video isn't about transponders.

[@Ihaveseenthings577]

👽👍 👽🤙

[@dunielcollazo603]

Genial