Installation guide

SkyView System Installation Guide - Revision R 15-1
15. Accessory Installation and Configuration
This chapter contains information regarding installation and configuration of various Dynon-
supplied accessories for the SkyView system.
Angle of Attack Pitot Probe Installation and Configuration
This section walks you through the general steps to install and calibrate both the heated and
unheated versions of the AOA/Pitot Probe. The heated probe consists of a heater controller
module and a probe while the standard version is a probe only.
While the probe senses standard pitot pressure, allowing it to work with any standard airspeed
indicator, its AOA functionality is designed specifically to work with Dynon’s EFIS series of
products. Do not expect it to work properly with another AOA system.
To ensure accuracy, it is very important that you install the probe correctly and
perform the specified calibration steps. We recommend that you read and
understand this entire section before proceeding with the installation.
Dynon’s Heated AOA/Pitot Probe is nickel-plated. Do not polish the probe as this
will cause the finish to come off.
AOA Calculation: Principles of Operation
Dynon Avionics’ AOA/Pitot probe performs two functions: airspeed sensing and angle of attack
sensing. These functions require two pressure ports on the tip of the probe. The normal pitot
pressure port is on the front face of the probe and is designed to be insensitive to angle of
attack. The second pressure port is located on an angled surface just under the pitot port and is
designed to be very sensitive to AOA. The SkyView system then uses the difference between
these two pressures to calculate the current angle of attack.
Heating: Principles of Operation
The heated version of Dynon’s AOA/Pitot Probe utilizes a nichrome heating element whose
temperature is accurately measured and regulated by the heater controller. This controller–
located in an enclosure which can be mounted in a wing or elsewhere–regulates the heat at the
tip of the probe to a constant temperature. There are several advantages to this: lower power
consumption, increased heating element lifespan, and a much cooler pitot on the ground when
de-icing is not necessary. This unique technique ensures that the pitot can be rapidly de-iced
when required, but does not needlessly waste electricity when not in icing conditions.
The probe operates at a fairly hot temperature. During normal operation, it
regulates its internal temperature to about 70°C to 80°C. You can verify nominal
operation by touching the end of the pitot farthest from the snout after one
minute of operation. It should be warm.