Goldenshield From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 5490 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (6 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 4839 times:
If I remember correctly from reading various things on sailplanes, it's there to provide a more rapid response from the pitot-static system on the static side, i.e.; the VSI will respond much faster here than in a standard pitot-static setup, which, for a sailplane, will allow the pilot to guage whether or not he is in an area of lift more accurately. I'm not sure what it's called, though.
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.
SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71 Reply 2, posted (6 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 4839 times:
Appears to be the pitot tube, indeed it does measure airspeed. As the Ford Trimotor hurtles through the air at speeds unmatched by anything but maybe a 1951 Studebaker pulling a horse trailer over the Grapevine, air is rammed into the open forward end of that tube and the resultant pressure reads as airspeed.
Search online for "pitot tube" images for schematics and so forth.
The Ford Trimotor holds a distinction. A flight from San Francisco to Reno back in the 20s flew at cruise speed into the top of a hill down near Auburn California - without any serious injuries.
Well, there might have been some, you know, spilled coffee etc.
Happiness is not seeing another trite Ste. Maarten photo all week long.
KPIE172 From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 20 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (6 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 4839 times:
Could it be a fuel overflow port? Seeing as it angled downward it looks like it wouldn't provide accurate direct air pressure for airspeed. Although it seems like it would be a good place for the pitot tube (out of the way of the prop wash).
Not sure though, I'm sure someone knows the right answer!
KELPkid From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 5962 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (6 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 4839 times:
Quoting TimePilot (Thread starter): What is that small tube-like thing sticking out and down of the left wing? (far right side of the photo.) Is that for measuring air speed?
Sure looks like a Pitot Tube to me... The Pitot Tube is indeed where the airspeed indicator reading comes from (the "Ram" pressure component at least!). I'm no tri-motor expert, however.
Celebrating the birth of KELPkidJR on August 5, 2009 :-)
Starlionblue From Hong Kong, joined Feb 2004, 15904 posts, RR: 66 Reply 5, posted (6 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 4821 times:
Quoting SlamClick (Reply 2):
The Ford Trimotor holds a distinction. A flight from San Francisco to Reno back in the 20s flew at cruise speed into the top of a hill down near Auburn California - without any serious injuries.
Well, there might have been some, you know, spilled coffee etc.
Oh the humanity!
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." - from Citadel by John Ringo
Goldenshield From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 5490 posts, RR: 13 Reply 6, posted (6 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 4815 times:
Found it. It's called a "total energy probe," which is a variation of a pitot tube.
ATCT From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 2044 posts, RR: 40 Reply 8, posted (6 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 4755 times:
Looks like a Static Port/Pitot Tube combo. (I believe Piper Warrior's have a similar device...but square...been a while since ive flown one).
ATCT
Real pilots fly planes that take and measure oil in gallons
Jetlagged From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 2462 posts, RR: 17 Reply 9, posted (6 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 4740 times:
Quoting KPIE172 (Reply 3): Seeing as it angled downward it looks like it wouldn't provide accurate direct air pressure for airspeed.
It's angled down so that it is better aligned with local airflow. Placing it well forward of the leading edge will also provide more accurate readings. Ford clearly wanted it to read as many knots as it possible.
The glass isn't half empty, or half full, it's twice as big as it needs to be.
Buzz From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 697 posts, RR: 23 Reply 10, posted (6 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 4624 times:
Hi Jetlagged, Buzz here. Well, if they wanted higher numbers then Henry Ford (or was it Mr. Edsel?) should calibrate the Airspeed in MPH instead of Knots. Back in the 1920's not many people over here uses kilometers per hour, but that would have given a significant boost in speed (grin)
Several 1930's airplanes had that 2 stage pitot probe. I haven't taken one apart so far. I guess it's out of the "local flow" from the props and nacelles up there.
Sponsor Message: 
From Switzerland, joined Sep 2005, 295 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 5490 posts, 
From Hong Kong, joined Feb 2004, 15904 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 2462 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
