What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

Replacing Van's pitot w/ Dynon AOA pitot

Pilot135pd

Well Known Member
My RV-8 has the stock Van's pitot tube bent forward installed under the wing. It looks like this one

https://shop.vansaircraft.com/cgi-b...76707-114-18&browse=airframe&product=ss-pitot


I want to add an unheated AOA pitot tube to my Dynon D-180 system. I found 2 pitot tube types, one looks like mine

http://dynonstore.com/#!/AOA-Pitot-Boom-Probe-unheated/p/52526429/category=13788239

but it has to be installed horizontally so the air goes into the tip like any pitot so do I have to bend this or is this type used for mounting it coming out in front of the wing, how does this one get mounted?


The other Dynon AOA pitot looks like a traditional Cessna pitot tube

http://dynonstore.com/#!/AOA-Pitot-Probe-unheated/p/52526405/category=13788239

and this one says you need an additional mount. Dynon sells one and I also found the GRETZ mount

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/gretzbrackets.php

So has anyone replaced a previously installed Van's pitot with one of these Dynon AOA pitots?

.
 
There are examples of retrofitting the AOA pitot tube using the “mast” such as from Gretz and others.

Most examples either install the mast into the outboard inspection panel (just outside the standard Vans install location) or installing one wing bay out from the last inspection panel. The latter location is accessible thru the inspection hole and the rib hole.

I opted for the rib bay outboard of the last inspection panel because I did not wish to deal with the pitot during the condition inspections or any other maintenance.

Using that outer bay may require drilling out three rivets (not horrible). It’s also prudent to add a backing plate / doubler around the mast inside the wing to stiffen the bottom wing skin.

The hole left from the original pitot tube is a convenient location for an OAT probe.

Here is another thread on the topic ...

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=124101

Here is a post showing the pitot tube mounted in the inspection panel ...

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showpost.php?p=1101715&postcount=12
 
Last edited:
I like the idea of installing it on the inspection panel, if I mess it up I just replace the panel, not a wing skin.

I'll check out that other thread. Thank you !
 
My RV-8 has the stock Van's pitot tube bent forward installed under the wing. It looks like this one

https://shop.vansaircraft.com/cgi-b...76707-114-18&browse=airframe&product=ss-pitot


I want to add an unheated AOA pitot tube to my Dynon D-180 system. I found 2 pitot tube types, one looks like mine

http://dynonstore.com/#!/AOA-Pitot-Boom-Probe-unheated/p/52526429/category=13788239

but it has to be installed horizontally so the air goes into the tip like any pitot so do I have to bend this or is this type used for mounting it coming out in front of the wing, how does this one get mounted?


The other Dynon AOA pitot looks like a traditional Cessna pitot tube

http://dynonstore.com/#!/AOA-Pitot-Probe-unheated/p/52526405/category=13788239

and this one says you need an additional mount. Dynon sells one and I also found the GRETZ mount

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/gretzbrackets.php

So has anyone replaced a previously installed Van's pitot with one of these Dynon AOA pitots?

.

I am in the early stage of building my RV8 wings. I bought the unheated Dynon AOA pitot from the Aircraft Spruce.

This is the Avery mount I bought with the pitot

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/alumpitotmast12-04764.php?clickkey=728353.

I haven't installed it yet but the instructions that came with the Avery pitot mount are very clear. The mount contains the template for you to cut the bottom wing skin to match the airfoil profile of the mount. This mount is positioned behind the wing skin next to the inspection hole so you may have to drill out some rivet of the bottom wing skin to fit this mount. For an open wing structure like I have, the installation should be easier.
 
Routing AOA line

So, pitot/AOA probe installed, using the stock pitot line from probe to wing root. But how do you route the additional AOA line with the skins on?
 
Back
Top