Blow out static port

Yes. Sometimes its temping to write a one line answer, then you have to
remember that this is a newsgroup Of course its the recertifying
that is important not the opening, but I think that is obvious. Yes, if
you don't have an IFR cert for your plane its not important. Its been a
very long time since I've run across a plane without a current IFR
cert. All FBOs like to do instrument flying in their clubs planes, and
us owners like to fly IFR. Now, if I still had my Aeronca, I might
agree with you more.

-Robert

Robert M. Gary wrote:
Legally, if you disconnect the lines they must be recertified by an
avionics shop. Not even an A&P can disconnect static lines.

Only if you intend to fly IFR.

wrote:
Hi group,

There are larve in my static ports again.

Disconnect the static line as close to the static port blockage as
possible and blow out (not toward the instruments).

Depending on the type of bug, you may not have any other choice but
compressed air. There's some type of larvae that find the tiny static
hole in my pitot blade to be just the right size for growing. They
build some kind of goopy cocoon in there. Every time I've blown them
out it took more that 120 lbs. of pressure to get them to budge.

Good luck,

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

wrote:

Hi group,

There are larve in my static ports again.

Had one of these on the C152:
http://www.theflightdepot.com/acft_accessories.html

We've had the flap type on the Tri-Pacer and now on the C172. Just blow
on it before flight to test that its functioning. Purchased from a local
parts supplier...

We've screened over the overflow tubes as well...

wrote:
Hi group,

There are larve in my static ports again.

Disconnect the static line as close to the static port blockage as
possible and blow out (not toward the instruments).

Depending on the type of bug, you may not have any other choice but
compressed air. There's some type of larvae that find the tiny static
hole in my pitot blade to be just the right size for growing. They
build some kind of goopy cocoon in there. Every time I've blown them
out it took more that 120 lbs. of pressure to get them to budge.

Good luck,

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

OWE!!! John, 120 psi? That sounds like overkill. But if that's the
only way you can get them to budge... What kind are they? I have a
PA28-180 and it sounds like I'd hate to get those.

Especially since everyone seem to be forgetting one thing:
The rules say that if you open the static system AT ALL, you have to
reperform the IFR certification test. Ka-ching -- $100 or so down the
tube.


Chuck
N7398W

C. wrote:

OWE!!! John, 120 psi? That sounds like overkill. But if that's the
only way you can get them to budge... What kind are they? I have a
PA28-180 and it sounds like I'd hate to get those.

Yep, when 60, 80 and 100 lbs. didn't work, I just kept bumping it up.
BTW - when the clog finally lets loose, it's like some sort of
explosion. I've never been able to tell what kind of bugs they were,
since the only thing that comes out is a big blog of orange goo. I
just know that whatever they are, they do their nesting here in central
AZ in June and July.


Especially since everyone seem to be forgetting one thing:
The rules say that if you open the static system AT ALL, you have to
reperform the IFR certification test. Ka-ching -- $100 or so down
the
tube.

Fortunately, that's not a problem for my VFR bird. If I had to
re-certify every time it happened, that would just be adding insult to
injury :-) Usually, the tennis ball I keep on the pitot blade does a
good job of keeping them out, but every time I've forgotten to put it
on during the nesting season, I've been hit.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

Yea... Blow a can of Fix-A-Flat in there and it should work good as
new.. :-)

Jon Kraus
'79 Mooney 201

wrote:

Hi group,

There are larve in my static ports again.
The problem is that I do not have compressed air to blow them out.
I was thinking about using CO2 cartridges like they use for emergency
tire repairs. Or maybe a bicycle pump will do the job.
My concern is the max pressure I can use before I damage something.
I know that I have to de-couple the static lines from the instruments.

I'm going to try to build something to block the ports.
The ports are about 1/8"dia. and 1/4" deep. A pin will do the job but
I'm afraid that even a small remove-before-flight flag will pull them
out in some wind.

-Kees.

Thanks for the info.

I will be careful when I try to blow out the static ports.

Now I have to try something to prevent the larvea to block them.
The pitot is just a piece of bended tube under the wing, no problem
there.
The ports are two small holes on both sides of the fuselage just behind
the cockpit.
To cover them and attach something to it that makes it clear that they
are covered will become a challenge.

-Kees

On 3 May 2005 05:57:20 -0700, wrote:

Thanks for the info.

I will be careful when I try to blow out the static ports.

Now I have to try something to prevent the larvea to block them.
The pitot is just a piece of bended tube under the wing, no problem
there.
The ports are two small holes on both sides of the fuselage just behind
the cockpit.
To cover them and attach something to it that makes it clear that they
are covered will become a challenge.

-Kees


Suggestion Kees,

Whatever you come up with to cover the ports, run strips of that
bright orange safety tape from the two covers to a point in front of
the windshield and use velcro to attach them together there.

That way, with the tape over the doors and in front of the windshield
-- you should never forget the covers before takeoff.


Chuck

Thanks Chuck,

Knowing myself, I'm completely capable to forget something like that,
whatever I try.
On the other hand, from the little experience I have I know a plane
flies perfectly well with blocked static ports :-(
So, I'm not too worried about that, since I only fly day-VFR.

But I'm going to try your suggestion anyway.

-Kees