Pitot Tubes & Lighter Ailerons
There seems to be a lot of frustration trying to
find a good place for the pitot and static air. There are lots
of ways that work, here's mine. The tube on the pilot's side is
the pitot, it is open in the front for ram air, the static is
on the passenger side, it is sealed in front, with 1/16"
holes around the sides about 3/4" back from the front. The
pitot tube and static air tubes are made from 1/4" steel
automobile brake line, easy to bend, holds a bend, and you can
braze a flange to the mounting end. You want them pointing down
about 10-15 degrees when the airplane is in level flight so that
they are at a useful angle at the stall.
The other picture is my mod to the aileron bellcrank.
Stock, the holes are about 7" apart. I drilled new holes
that are 4 1/2" apart. It reduces the travel of the ailerons,
giving you much more leverage at the control stick. If
you are happy with the way the stock ailerons feel, good. If you
want the ailerons to feel half as heavy, and the airplane to feel
much lighter and agile with no apparent loss of control authority,
give it a try. And if you try it and don't like it, put it back
like it was. It does reduce total aileron travel, you may not
feel comfortable doing that; your decision. I can't tell any loss
of control authority, and it makes the airplane a well-balanced
sweetheart to fly.