Matt's RV-8 Project



Matt Dralle's RV-8 Project
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Date:  4-19-2010
Number of Hours:  1.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Alternate Static Air Port

For IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations, one of the things the RV-8 needed was an alternate source for static air. Static air is used by the altimeter and autopilot to give an accurate altitude reading. The standard static air ports are located on either side of the fuselage between the wings and the tail. There is a small hole on either side of the fuselage and plastic tubing running up to the back of the instrument panel to supply this source.

For IFR, however, the standard holes could become blocked with ice and you could receive inaccurate altitude readings which could result in an early demise. So, the FARs (Federal Air Regulations) suggest that an method for venting the static air port into the cabin area if the main ports become blocked.

I added a small "T" Nylon fitting in the 1/4" tube for static air just in front of the instrument panel under the left cockpit rail. I cut a short piece of 1/4" tubing and filled it with black RTV and then put a piece of heat shrink tubing over it to form a handle. The whole thing fits nicely under the cockpit rail and from the pilot's position is just barely visible, yet can be accessed easy. In the event that icing conditions occur, the fitting can be unscrewed and the plug removed for cabin venting. Sweet, simple, and light.
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"T" Fitting & "Plug" Made From Tubing Filled w/ RTV

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New

New "T" Fitting Installed In Static Air Line

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Plug Inserted Into

Plug Inserted Into "T" Fitting

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