Its a great idea and certainly eliminates the web of tubing we have on many aircraft, BUT, it is still a pitot-tube except the sensor portion is built right into it instead of being remote in an ADC. I still like it though. If you want to have fun, try trouble-shooting a leaking system with the plumbing running all over the place.
"Amen" to that. I recently had a G-IV which had developed a serious in-flight data miscompare between the L/H and R/H air data computers. Ground testing quickly revealed a major leak in the static line feeding the #2 ADC.
We eventually found the leak to be caused by a cracked plastic B nut at the point where the static line feeding the #2 ADC connected to the R/H static port.
Fixing the actual problem took less than 30 minutes. Getting access to the point of failure however was another matter entirely. Six man-hours to remove the overhead ceiling panels in the entranceway to gain access to the tee fitting where the L/H and R/H static port lines joined together, (in order to isolate which side was leaking) - then an additional 35 man-hours of labor time to disassemble and remove the forward lav and galley, and then put it all back together afterward.
Remoted air data sensors are definitely a major improvement, which eliminate
a weak link in the classic "plumbed" pitot/static system.
JR Barrett