On Wed, 05 Feb 2020 19:35:29 -0800, soaringjac wrote:

Anyone have any experience with accessing the TE/Pitot line connections
in the fin of an Astir CS? Is there anyway to peek at the TE/Pitot lines
where the plug into the ports at the back of the tube/ports in the fin?
I want to see if the TE line is still attached to the back of the TE
prob but can't seem to find anyway to get access to that area.

You can check the integrity of those connections easily enough without
looking inside the fin.

Pitot: block the hole by putting your thumb firmly over it and, keeping
your thumb over the hole, wrap your hand firmly round the pitot probe to
warm it up while you or a friend watches the ASI. If the line has no
leaks the ASI reading will come up to 15-20 kts in a few seconds and then
stay steady until you let go of the pitot. The speed of the rise will
depend on how thick the metal is in the pitot probe and the value of the
steady reading depends on how much warmer your hand is than the ambient
air. If the reading peaks and then slowly drops while you're still
holding the pitot you may have a small leak. To repeat the test, let the
pitot cool down for a minute or two and then do it again.

TE: switch on the vario and turn the volume right up. Now put your hands
on each side of the TE probe, about 30-40 mm (1.5-2") apart and blow hard
between them. If there are no leaks you should hear the vario signal a
climb while you're blowing. Mechanical vario? Get a friend to watch it
while you blow.

I use both tests on my Libelle after putting the panel back in to check
that the pneumatic multi-connector is seated correctly and not leaking. I
can easily see the ASI (at the top centre of my panel) and hear the vario
with the canopy off but whether you can see your ASI may depend on where
it is in your panel and how high the Astir's rear cockpit rim is.

Also, has anyone ever replaced the TE(or pitot) lines all the way back
to the fin in an Astir CS?

Nope, never had to do that. If its anything like my glider, that will
involve cutting holes in the fin.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org