Wind speed instrument.

[Sybarite]

I saw a report on an ultralight plane that had a hang-glider's wind speed instrument
attached to a strut. It was a glass cylinder about 9" X 1". It looked cheap and I thought that one each of these tied to the shrouds would be a cosiderably cheaper alternative to a mast head unit.

Any hang-gliders there who know more about them?

John

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[BrendanS]

As an ex-hang glider pilot (Pilot 3 level in old terminology) I've never had a large glass tube of any size mounted?

This sounds like an old fashioned ball in a tube thing? or did it have any electronics attached to it?


<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as "fun for the whole family."

 

[qsiv]

May well be a pitot - but do bear in mind that a plane invariably has the apparent wind wind in a consistent diriction. This is probably only true for moored boats, in non tidal waters, which might restrict it's usefulness...

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[oldharry]

Back in the 70s one could buy a Pitot type hand held wind speed indicator consisting of a plastic tube with a speed scale, and a little ball that was blown up the tube by the wind. Not a bad simple bit of kit, with the disadvantage that if it got even slightly damp the ball would stick to the tube....

Nowadays of course its easier to do it with microchips and LCD displays - which also pack up if they get a bit damp

Plus ca change....

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[DavidofMersea]

NASA Clipper Wind speed instrument.

I have got a NASA wind speed and direction indicator, and after just over a year the revolving bit with the cups, has blown off. NASA could not understand this saying that "they were moulded in" and that is true, but mine is not now.

Has anybody else had trouble with NASA wind indicator

David of West Mersea

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