To the left is an exploded view of the pitot tube and mount assembly. The pitot tube was custom made for the VK-30. The middle plate has 4 screws welded to it and is permanently mounted in the fuselage. The bracket on the left bolts to the studs on the middle plate. The pitot tube screws onto the bracket.
After the location of the pitot tube is laid out, the foam core is removed and beveled. Q-cell is used to seal the exposed foam followed by 5 layers of fiberglass to provide the support for the mounting plate.
The mounting plate is installed in the fuselage from the outside.
An inside view shows the screws protruding into the cabin. These studs are used to mount the streamlined tube bracket.
Tim is welding the mounting plate to the streamlined tube.
Welding is complete.
The bracket is mounted in the fuselage.
The pitot tube is mounted to the bracket.
Measurements were taken to ensure the pitot tube is mounted properly in relation to the flow of air.
More measuring...
The pitot tube also needs to be level.
0.0 °...perfect!
Tape is wrapped around the bracket to act as a spacer and to protect it. Last-A-Foam is used to replace the foam that was removed earlier. A few layers of fiberglass seals everything up. Milled fibers were also packed around the bracket.
The bracket was removed and the area bodyworked smooth.
The finished hole after priming the fuselage.
The finished installation. The gap between the fuselage and the bracket will be sealed with clear silicone. This method of mounting the pitot tube looks clean and has proven to be quite sturdy.
Another view of the finished installation. The bracket has also been chrome plated.
