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Thread: testing an airspeed indicator

  1. #1

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    Default testing an airspeed indicator

    Guys,
    How would you test an airspeed indicator without installing it and flying it? That is, before going to all the work of installation, how might you test and calibrate the damn thing?
    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: testing an airspeed indicator

    KeithD,

    Got car or truck?.........the ASI just needs a ram port and static source.......Make like a Google car and put a mast on the roof (or hood) that will keep the temporary pitot tube (Diameter of the temp pitot tube does not matter) above and out of the car's affected airstream.....rig a static port of some kind and go find a deserted road on a calm wind day and have at it.

    The calibration will not take into account position error of pitot and static ports on the airplane; but, you can certainly get an idea if the thing works

    DS

  3. #3
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    Default Re: testing an airspeed indicator

    http://www.n56ml.com/airspeed_calibration/
    Here is a link to how you can do it using a home made water column. I remember a Kitplanes magazine article from maybe 10 years ago showing the same thing. Jim Chuk

  4. #4
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: testing an airspeed indicator

    I like Jim's idea better than my "dynamic testing".......eliminates the static port variables and theoretically the manometer should be quite accurate....and, less trouble with law enforcement for testing the higher speeds.

    DS

  5. #5

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    Default Re: testing an airspeed indicator

    Who cares about the higher speeds? Just get the ground speed off the GPS. It's the bottom end that matters!

  6. #6
    Senior Member LSaupe's Avatar
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    Default Re: testing an airspeed indicator

    Quote Originally Posted by avidflyer View Post
    http://www.n56ml.com/airspeed_calibration/
    Here is a link to how you can do it using a home made water column. I remember a Kitplanes magazine article from maybe 10 years ago showing the same thing. Jim Chuk
    Actually once set in equilibrium you would'nt even need to add anymore water, just raise one side to get the delta you are after. Easy then to "undo" the pressure by then lowering that side (can get data on the way up and way back down to check for hysteresis etc.)

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