Overview
The pilot fresh air is delivered from two vents located in the lower panel and from overflow from the co-pilot system.
With all of the NACA ducts in the cowl allocated and not wishing to penetrate or even having the space on the firewall it was decided to look at another way to take air in from the outside. Ducts in the removable panels in the cowl were examined but the available NACA ducts were too large and would not allow a smooth connection onto the vents while most likely fouling in the instruments.
Examination of photos of the Tucano T1 showed a big blister on top of the cowl and this was an excuse to replicate it for the purpose of air supply.
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| Inspiration is always there |
Installation
A 3D model was created, reviewed and then sent to China for machining in ABS plastic for a number of reason with the most pressing - time.
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| Inlet top view as delivered |
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| Splitter as delivered |
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| Splitter and cowl opening Channel seals opening on center |
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| Euramtec Vents |
Openings in the to cowl into the splitter were created using a nibbler and filed to finished size. At this point the splitter was removed and painted with plastic primer then black enamel and reinstalled with a silicone sealer.
The top air inlet was primed and painted then fixed to the cowl using four [4] x M3 countersunk screws and rivet nuts located around the flange. the face of the cover was sealed using silicone before fixing.
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| Completed assembly |
Finally the splitter was connected to the panel air vents using lengths of 2'' OD black CAT hose fixed with nylon cable ties.
Note: All vents were purchased with 2'' hose adaptors.
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| Air Inlet |
Comment
The air inlet size was to suit 2'' hose but after installation I would make it about 10 - 15% smaller for a more balanced appearance.
Worked as planned and now it's something that's finished - woo-hoo !
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