Pitot heat on

[Jaybird180]

What is the effect on accuracy of the ASI with the pitot heat activated?

 

[Greg Bockelman]

Nothing.

 

[jesse]

There is no effect that matters.

I have no idea if there is some effect on paper if you're smart but nothing to think about during operations.

 

[Silvaire]

In icing conditions the ASI is much more accurate with the pitot heat ON.

 

[jesse]

In icing conditions the ASI is much more accurate with the pitot heat ON.

+1

 

[Sac Arrow]

You know, if the damn thing is accurate within +/- 20% with the pitot heat on, it's still better than having it frozen over.

But I've never noticed a difference, personally.

 

[gismo]

What is the effect on accuracy of the ASI with the pitot heat activated?

Unless the pitot was iced shut, there'd be no effect at all.

JOOC, what made you wonder about this?

 

[Jaybird180]

JOOC???

The question is academic, but it started after I noticed post-flight yesterday that I left the darn thing on (flicked the wrong switch).

Edit: JOOC = Just Out Of Curiosity

 

[flyingron]

Makes no discernable difference in my plane. I can tell it's on because the ammeter twitches when I throw the switch. Next to the landing light I think it's probably the biggest draw on the bus.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

The temperature/density of the air inside the pitot tube will make no difference in the dynamic pressure of the air outside.