Air Data Products for Production, Flight Test, and Racing
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Air Data Products for Production, Flight Test, and Racing
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Here is a series of frequently-asked questions (FAQs) regarding the selection and use of our air data products. If you have questions not answered here or in our literature, please contact us by phone, fax, or e-mail or make a technical support request. CONNECTING THE 100400 MINI AIR DATA BOOM PRESSURE TUBES TO AN AIR DATA COMPUTER OR DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM A. Given the broad range of interfaces that exist for pressure transducers, air data computers, and data acquisition systems, a single recommendation is difficult to make. However, the graphic below shows two solutions that should work well in many applications.  You may contact Pneumadyne and Newage Industries directly. PRESSURE TUBE FITTING FOR 100400 MINI AIR DATA BOOM A. If the above concept does not work for you, the nylon pressure tube provided with the 100400 can be epoxied using an aerospace-grade epoxy. These companies make miniature fittings that should be compatible with your pressure transducer, air data computer, or tube connection system. TEST ACCESSORIES A. The vane calibration fixture mounts on the air data boom body and vane shaft guide and serves as a measurement tool for the mechanical position of the vane. The electrical position of the vane can be recorded and a calibration conducted accordingly. The test fixture set is mounted over the total and static pressure ports and allows you to conduct system leak checks. When combined with an air data test system and pressure transducers, you can also perform air data calibrations.  VANE SENSOR TYPES
A. Yes, while our standard products offer long-life (20+ million cycles (40+ million shaft revolutions)), precision potentiometric outputs, we also install synchros, resolvers, RVDTs, and similar rotary sensors. Please contact us if you have a sensor output requirement different than that found on our standard products. PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS AND AIR DATA COMPUTERS A. Due to the broad range of aircraft flight profiles our air data products are exposed to, we generally do not provide pressure transducers or air data computers. To learn more about pressure transducers, visit:
For sources of these items, consider these resources:  INSTALLATIONS TO THE AIRCRAFT A. Due to complexities and differences between aircraft, we do not provide full installation services. However, we can assist you in designing an installation method as well as in the installation process itself. We can also refer you to flight test organizations who can provide dedicated services in this area. MULTIPLE AND SINGLE VANES A. Yes, we offer a variety of dual vane options including independent, synchro-based, AOA only, and offset. Please contact us if you would like more details. 100400 MINI AIR DATA BOOM MOUNTING A. Mounting an air data boom is very specific to the vehicle/craft it is being mounted to. A broad range of techniques may be used ranging from epoxies to threaded fasteners to clamps to pins. A prototype mounting fixture design for the 100400 mini air data boom is shown below. This design will allow you to easily install and remove the item while still maintaining radial orientation due to the key feature of the design. You may use this design (or a modified version) to fabricate your own fixture.  Mounting fixture template for 100400 mini air data boom
VANE REMOVAL A. Yes, the vanes can be removed and covers placed over the mounting holes. The removal and cover installation can be done with the air data boom on the aircraft or returned to our facility if you prefer. If you require removal instructions, please contact us. TOTAL AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR A. Yes, we provide heated or unheated TAT sensor options for all of our full-size air data booms. The TAT sensor can be mounted at the location of your choice. Please contact us for details.  WIND TUNNEL CALIBRATION REPORTS A. Yes. Please contact us if you would like a copy. Indicate the product for which you require a wind tunnel calibration report. TAT AND OAT A. Static air temperature (SAT) is what would be measured from a balloon, and is the temperature given in a forecast or report. It is also referred to as outside air temperature (OAT). Total air temperature (TAT) is obtained by a probe having velocity with respect to the air. Because of kinetic heating on the upstream side of the probe, TAT is warmer than SAT. SAT is computed from TAT and other flight conditions by an air data computer for dry air. There is less kinetic heating in saturated air than dry air. Indicated outside air temperature (OAT) is measured by a simple sensor in the airstream - essentially a thermometer. Typically, OAT values will be SAT or OAT plus approximately 80% of the difference from SAT to TAT. Surface temperature varies with pressure along the airfoil. At the leading edge where pressure is the highest, the surface temperature will also be higher than further aft. If the local surface temperature on the airfoil is warmer than freezing, no ice will form. Infra-red measurements of a typical airfoil in the icing tunnel at a true airspeed of 150 knots show that there can be a decrease in temperature of more than 3.5° F along the airfoil. At temperatures close to freezing, there may be no ice on the leading edge, but ice can form further aft because of the lower temperatures. Because there is liquid runback, any ice formation aft of the leading edge tends to act like a "dam" making ice growth more rapid. |