Replacing an airspeed indicator

On Wednesday, March 5, 2014 11:15:35 AM UTC-7, Soartech wrote:
For some reason my glider came with an indicator with a ridiculously high maximum reading. I would like to replace it with something that has much more space in the most often used regions of the dial. Can you just install a new instrument or does it need to be somehow calibrated or tuned to an individual Pitot tube installation?

Thanks for your experience.

The ridiculously high reading should be a good excuse to fly faster (Kidding!). Check your maintenance manual and possibly the TDCS and there should be a list of approved instruments. You also have to make sure the A/S has the proper markings. Granted, If your ship is experimental you could possibly do anything you want as long as your mechanic signs off but I would not use a mechanic who would sign a condition inspection without properly marked instruments. Calibration is a good idea but it is complicated.

I forgot to say this glider is experimental. So you are saying that any new airspeed indicator (factory fresh) should be accurate to some reasonable extent with a standard Pitot tube installation? Is calibration normally done on new installations or not? As far as markings on the dial, they are easy to duplicate so no problem there.



The ridiculously high reading should be a good excuse to fly faster (Kidding!). Check your maintenance manual and possibly the TDCS and there should be a list of approved instruments. You also have to make sure the A/S has the proper markings. Granted, If your ship is experimental you could possibly do anything you want as long as your mechanic signs off but I would not use a mechanic who would sign a condition inspection without properly marked instruments. Calibration is a good idea but it is complicated.

On Thursday, March 6, 2014 10:43:09 AM UTC-7, Soartech wrote:
I forgot to say this glider is experimental. So you are saying that any new airspeed indicator (factory fresh) should be accurate to some reasonable extent with a standard Pitot tube installation? Is calibration normally done on new installations or not? As far as markings on the dial, they are easy to duplicate so no problem there.







The ridiculously high reading should be a good excuse to fly faster (Kidding!). Check your maintenance manual and possibly the TDCS and there should be a list of approved instruments. You also have to make sure the A/S has the proper markings. Granted, If your ship is experimental you could possibly do anything you want as long as your mechanic signs off but I would not use a mechanic who would sign a condition inspection without properly marked instruments. Calibration is a good idea but it is complicated.

Check out this page on W&W http://www.wingsandwheels.com/altime...rad_winter.htm
Should explain most everything and if you have further questions give Sean a call.