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Why does nobody talk about the old fiber optic light meters for pitot-static checks?
We found a 15 year old one in a hangar in Mobile and compared it to our new digital unit, the readings were within 0.1% after a fresh cal. Anyone still have these in their kit as a backup?
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elizabethf853mo ago
Oh man, that 0.1% is NO JOKE. We had the same thing happen with an old fiber optic unit we found buried in a shelf at Pensacola. I was so skeptical at first but after we ran it against our brand new digital meter on three different pitot-static testers, the old one was actually MORE stable on the pressure side. I swear, those things were made back when people actually over-engineered stuff. Plus there's something satisfying about the way the fiber optic needle moves - it's like watching a car gauge from the 80s. I'd keep it in the truck forever just for those days when the digital unit decides to throw a fit.
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mia_thompson136mo ago
Honestly those old fiber optic meters are built like tanks. We kept one as a backup for years because the digital ones can act up in really cold hangars. As long as it's been calibrated, that 0.1% check is solid. Might be worth hanging onto it just for peace of mind.
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kelly.robin6mo ago
I get the "built like tanks" thing, but that weight and bulk is exactly why we got rid of ours. Our old fiber optic unit was a pain to carry up ladders and took forever to warm up and settle. The new digital one is just faster and easier for every single check.
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