We have an ASI problem on DBP.
After the rebuild and subsequent flying, the Aquilla 2 was flying at 42mph IAS. This was too slow for this wing design but we left her at the current IAS to allow the new Dacron to stretch a bit. After 10 hrs, we tensioned the wing one notch further to get her flying a bit faster.On Sat I put the GPS on and went "testing". IAS on the Skydat is now 43mph? This does not make sense....Downwind, I'm clocking 52knots on the GPS.... Turn around 180 and the ground speed decreases to 42 knts as I get the headwind. If I average these two out it means that out IAS should be much higher. Average GS is 47 knts which tells me that our IAS should be reading 54MPH Have I got this correct?
If so it means that DBP was cruising closer to 50mph and the change we made to the wing tension was unnecessary?I can only deduce that the Skydat is under reading? My Pitot tube does not point directly into the airflow during flight. I have been told by two AP's that this is not critical? My mind tells me otherwise....straightening it will require putting some spacers under the mount on one side. The tube leading from the pitot to the instrument is not blocked so I am really confused now. Should I go with my gut feel and improve the pitot angle?? Please help guys, an underreading ASI is not a great thing to have on board.
