Cleaning pitot tube

[201Steve]

Hey y’all. I’ve got some bug guts in my pitot tube. Couldn’t quite get it all out. What’s the procedure for pulling out and cleaning? I pulled the 4 screws and dropped it down to check it out over weekend. Looks like need to disconnect the heat wire. Is there anything tricky or sensitive to be cautious of? Any tips to speak of. Obviously never done it so checking my bases  

[Matt Ward]

I had to take mine apart recently to fix some wiring issues; you may find some leads in this old post.

 

[StevenL757]

@201Steve, whether I'm in icing conditions or not, I have the pitot heat turned on.  Old wive's tale to hear some saying that this will wear out the tube prematurely.  35 years of flying, and I've yet to see this happen.  Basically - in any weather condition - the heat will pretty much barbecue anything that flies into it.

Going forward, I suggest adding this to your operating rhythm...not only for safety reasons, but to keep it clean without any disassembly.

[N201MKTurbo]

Take the cover plate off, remove the pitot line from the pitot tube and blow it out with compressed air.

[201Steve]

9 hours ago, StevenL757 said:

@201Steve, whether I'm in icing conditions or not, I have the pitot heat turned on.  Old wive's tale to hear some saying that this will wear out the tube prematurely.  35 years of flying, and I've yet to see this happen.  Basically - in any weather condition - the heat will pretty much barbecue anything that flies into it.

Going forward, I suggest adding this to your operating rhythm...not only for safety reasons, but to keep it clean without any disassembly.

Interesting, thanks!

[Guest]

Don’t loose the screws, they’re not a typical airplane size.

Clarence

Edited July 23, 2020 by M20Doc

[RobertGary1]

22 hours ago, StevenL757 said:

@201Steve, whether I'm in icing conditions or not, I have the pitot heat turned on.  Old wive's tale to hear some saying that this will wear out the tube prematurely.  35 years of flying, and I've yet to see this happen.  Basically - in any weather condition - the heat will pretty much barbecue anything that flies into it.

Going forward, I suggest adding this to your operating rhythm...not only for safety reasons, but to keep it clean without any disassembly.

Like in the jet. Clearing the runway thr pitot and static heat comes off. Just don’t forget it. Taxing around with the heat on is supposed to cause damage we’re told. 
 

-Robert 

[StevenL757]

1 minute ago, RobertGary1 said:

Like in the jet. Clearing the runway thr pitot and static heat comes off. Just don’t forget it. Taxing around with the heat on is supposed to cause damage we’re told. 
 

-Robert 

Absolutely.