Phil Hill wrote: >>Ok looking at the plans its not clear what size tubing is used for the pitot tube and what material to use. What is the accepted material and size? Second, what is the ceiling flange made of. I'm talking about the type that is a continuous flange that goes around the entire fire wall. I'm thinking a 1"x1" aluminum angle.<< ------------------
The plans call for 1/4" aluminum pitot and static tubes. 3003 is probably the one to choose, since it is easily bent, but I'm sure 5052 could be used as well. 6061 may break or fold, if you're not careful. Having said that, mine may even be 6061, but I used a tubing bender. It's about .030" thick, but that's not critical. Don't overdrill the static ports...find the right size drill and use a v-block to drill it. I didn't put a flange around the firewall, although it's likely a good idea. I've seen them made out of thin bent galvanized steel, stainless, and even fiberglass, so .040" is fine in my book. 1" seems a lot...3/4" should be plenty, and likely 1/2" would be fine as well, although more difficult to bend nicely. I'm sure others have better ideas. Alluminum angle 1x1 will be so thick that it likely will break when you try to round the corners of the deck with it, and it will be very heavy by comparison. What I will do with my next plane is something I've seen done often in England...building the flange into the front deck. This is about 3/4" tall, is very light, and seals off the area nicely. The stainless itself still goes to the vertical limits of the firewall, but this fiberglass overlaps it to hold it in place and seal fumes, heat, and oil out of the cockpit. -- Mark Langford ML at N56ML.com http://www.n56ml.com
