BBC: Engineers 'averted air disaster'
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: In the boot of my car!
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Really the pilot would have soon found out. A couple of hundred yards aborted takeoff and red face 
The worst scenario is in the air with a blocked or frozen pitot which is far more serious.
One tip in that situation is to look at the GPS groundspeed. Low level where IAS and TAS are not far off and where the pilot is wind aware it is a fairly accurate substitute.
Also useful for a runway approach where there is no ground radio to confirm the runway you are using is into wind. Check the GPS ground speed against the ASI speed if slower you have a headwind if faster a tail.
Not an exact science with either but a lot better than nothing and in part one could save your life.
Pace
The worst scenario is in the air with a blocked or frozen pitot which is far more serious.
One tip in that situation is to look at the GPS groundspeed. Low level where IAS and TAS are not far off and where the pilot is wind aware it is a fairly accurate substitute.
Also useful for a runway approach where there is no ground radio to confirm the runway you are using is into wind. Check the GPS ground speed against the ASI speed if slower you have a headwind if faster a tail.
Not an exact science with either but a lot better than nothing and in part one could save your life.
Pace
Join Date: Jun 2003
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If I left my pitot cover on, it would be on fire before I taxied to the runway holding point. Nowadays I make really sure.
Anyway, for GA, checking the pitot is hot should be a mandatory preflight check. Maybe people are used to the training spamcans - on all those I trained in, the pitot heater was duff.
Anyway, for GA, checking the pitot is hot should be a mandatory preflight check. Maybe people are used to the training spamcans - on all those I trained in, the pitot heater was duff.
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Those of you who criticise and/or make light of the actions of the guys who spotted his error are undoubtedly the unsafest people in aviation.
A bit uncalled for, that.
A tagline that infers "disaster averted" in relation to a pitot cover, like disaster would have been a foregone conclusion if it had been left on, deserves a humorous rejoinder or 2, if you ask me.
Still, maybe I am a bit weird for finding the endless exaggerations of our free press quite amusing, and so perhaps I should jolly well serious myself up a bit!
Safe flying all (which for me personally still and always will include a checklist
)JR
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Personally speaking, I'm delighted that the BBC have reported accurately that piloting a single engine light aircraft is indeed the preserve of sky gods who operate complex machinery using procedures unfathomable to mere mortals who do not posess the incredible skills and reflexes to avoid innumerable puppy deaths and primary school disasters.
The ground crew were obviously watching on in awe when they noticed this obvious excercise in making sure that they were paying proper deferential attention to their betters behind the yoke.
The mystique remains untarnished and GA pilots may continue to prop up the bar with pride and anecdotes of heroic derring do.
The ground crew were obviously watching on in awe when they noticed this obvious excercise in making sure that they were paying proper deferential attention to their betters behind the yoke.
The mystique remains untarnished and GA pilots may continue to prop up the bar with pride and anecdotes of heroic derring do.
