AV Web

OCTOBER 8, 2024

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has responded to numerous requests from members for advice on how best to prepare an aircraft for surviving extreme weather, such as the hurricanes that are savaging the U.S. Windows and doors should be firmly latched and engine inlets, pitot tubes, and static ports covered.

Pitot Tube 96

Pitot Tube Aileron Lift Hangar 96

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Whether calling a weather briefer on the ground or reaching out for help in an emergency, the added ability to make and receive phone calls from your headset can be invaluable. Changing weather and climate, handling chemicals like fuel and oil, and physical activities like preflighting all can introduce risk to the pilot.

Pitot Tube 92

Pitot Tube Weather Airplanes Pilot 92

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

The first flight got weathered out, with broken clouds at 1,500 feet. It had undergone some repair work done after experiencing soot and smoke damage from a fire in a nearby hangar. Repairs included replacing the pitot tube/angle-of-attack sensor and the outside air temperature probe.

Pitot Tube 84

Pitot Tube Approach Aileron Instrument Landing System 84

Professional Pilot

JANUARY 2, 2025

Aircraft on the ground downwind from an eruption, even if hangared, should be cleaned frequently to prevent corrosion. It can also become lodged in pitot tubes or other ports, making altitude and airspeed readings unreliable. Engines should be dry cranked to ventilate them before startup. Ash has been known to contaminate fuel.

Pitot Tube 40

Pitot Tube Weather Pilot NOTAMs 40