Pitot heat element failed. Options?

[Peter R.]

Just this past week my Bonanza V35's pitot heat element failed. I had a
mechanic look at it to determine if the cause was power/wiring related or
if the element itself had failed.

Of course, it was the element itself that had failed, which apparently in
the Bonanza's case means a new pitot tube.

New pitot tubes are over US$1000, or at least that was the first quote I
received. Are there used aircraft parts, or boneyards, that might carry
these? If so, who are reputable groups here in the US?



--
Peter

[mikem]

Peter R. wrote:
>... Are there used aircraft parts, or boneyards, that might carry
> these?

Try Wentworth for starters.

I own Cessnas and a Piper . I'm a member of Cessna Pilot's Assoc. and
Short Wing Piper Club. Both organizations maintain lists of used parts
dealers. Join your Type Club.

[Michael[_1_]]

Peter R. wrote:
> Of course, it was the element itself that had failed, which apparently in
> the Bonanza's case means a new pitot tube.

If you are going to observe the legalities, it sure does. I might or
might not know of several Bonanzas flying with rebuilt pitot tubes...

> New pitot tubes are over US$1000, or at least that was the first quote I
> received. Are there used aircraft parts, or boneyards, that might carry
> these? If so, who are reputable groups here in the US?

Take any old copy of Trade-A-Plane, flip through it, and you will find
plenty. Just start calling around. You would be amazed how many odd
parts they will have.

Michael

[Newps]

Michael wrote:
> Peter R. wrote:
>
>>Of course, it was the element itself that had failed, which apparently in
>>the Bonanza's case means a new pitot tube.
>
>
> If you are going to observe the legalities, it sure does. I might or
> might not know of several Bonanzas flying with rebuilt pitot tubes...



No legal reason you have to buy a new pitot tube.

[Roger[_4_]]

On 11 Jan 2007 11:38:58 -0800, "mikem" > wrote:

>Peter R. wrote:
>>... Are there used aircraft parts, or boneyards, that might carry
>> these?
>
>Try Wentworth for starters.
>
>I own Cessnas and a Piper . I'm a member of Cessna Pilot's Assoc. and
>Short Wing Piper Club. Both organizations maintain lists of used parts
>dealers. Join your Type Club.

Try http://www.bonanza.org/
It's a good group for Bonanza owners.


Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

[Marco Leon]

Peter,
My heating element went south on my Piper pitot tube. Apparently there
were two heating elements in there and I was able to purchase them
separately. You may want to explore the option of purchasing just the
heating elements.

Marco

Newps wrote:
> Michael wrote:
> > Peter R. wrote:
> >
> >>Of course, it was the element itself that had failed, which apparently in
> >>the Bonanza's case means a new pitot tube.
> >
> >
> > If you are going to observe the legalities, it sure does. I might or
> > might not know of several Bonanzas flying with rebuilt pitot tubes...
>
>
>
> No legal reason you have to buy a new pitot tube.

[Peter R.]

Marco Leon > wrote:

> My heating element went south on my Piper pitot tube. Apparently there
> were two heating elements in there and I was able to purchase them
> separately. You may want to explore the option of purchasing just the
> heating elements.

Thanks, Marco, but in the Bonanza's case, the heating element and the tube
are one unit. :(

I contacted American Bonanza Society and they have given me some contacts
to explore. Of course the issue is time, since I am flying a lot this
winter in the Northeast US I have to have the Pitot heat back working
relatively quickly.

--
Peter

[Marco Leon]

Peter R. wrote:
>
> Thanks, Marco, but in the Bonanza's case, the heating element and the tube
> are one unit. :(
>
> I contacted American Bonanza Society and they have given me some contacts
> to explore. Of course the issue is time, since I am flying a lot this
> winter in the Northeast US I have to have the Pitot heat back working
> relatively quickly.

Yes, these clouds up here are no joke. Good luck with finding it for
less than 1 AMU. I wonder if it's economically feasible to buy off eBay
and get it yellow-tagged? Here's one (not sure if it's your model) from
a guy parting out some Bonanzas: Item number: 320069500778

Marco

[Michael[_1_]]

Marco Leon wrote:
> Yes, these clouds up here are no joke. Good luck with finding it for
> less than 1 AMU. I wonder if it's economically feasible to buy off eBay
> and get it yellow-tagged? Here's one (not sure if it's your model) from
> a guy parting out some Bonanzas: Item number: 320069500778

It is certainly feasible - provided you have the right mechanic. A
yellow tag is not magic - it's not even necessarily yellow. It is
documentation of a condition/operational inspection and certifies that
the part is serviceable. For a pitot tube, that would mean:

External inspection - not cracked, bent, etc.
Internal inspection - pitot tube not plugged, drain hole (if one
exists) not plugged, static port (if one exists) not plugged, no leaks,
electrical connections not frayed, plug or terminals in good condition
Electrical inspection - not shorted or open or intermittent, draws a
reasonable amount of current (less than the fuse/breaker is rated for,
enough to get hot quickly)

At most, I might need an hour to do all this, including the paperwork
(and I'm slow). I charge $45/hr for stuff like this. I would be
surprised if you had to pay more than about $300 for used pitot tube -
more likely a lot less. There are lots out there.

Taking parts off a totaled airplane and installing them on a working
plane is standard, accepted maintenance practice. Fact is, you don't
even need a yellow tag. All that has to happen is your mechanic does
the above tests, then makes an entry in your logbook to that effect
(noting which plane the part came from, to establish traceability).
Then he installs it, logs the installation - and you are good to go.

What you can't (legally) do is repair one - because you have no
acceptable data on which to base the repair. Not that it doesn't
happen, mind you.

Michael