I'm thinking about installing Precise Flight vents at my 185's annual next month. A couple of quick questions:

1) Do you have to remove the V brace to exchange the old vents for the new?

2) The kit includes a new OAT gauge, which requires drilling a hole in the plexiglass. Is that a problem? Sounds like a crack waiting to happen. If you have these vents, what are you doing for OAT? I know I could throw more money at it and get OAT in the JPI, but I'd rather not.

So, for you Skywagon guys: Precise Flight vents or no? Drill the plexi or not?

TIA.

I have no opinions about the vents, but can say that drilling plexi/lexan is easy.

Use a unibit, and allow the next larger step of the bit to "chamfer" the edge of the plexi, then repeat the chamfer portion of the drilling operation on the other edge. the results will be a smooth hole with a nice heavy chamfer on both surfaces. The hardest part is keeping the drill and bit square with the windscreen so the chamfer is even.

I have them in my 180, and think they are great - much better than the old juice cans! However, I don't have the V-brace so can't comment on that, and I already had an electronic OAT sensor so no holes were required.

Mike

I put the vents in my last 182, much better than the Cessna vents. Can't speak to your V brace issue. For an OAT I would not put one in the windshield. That's ugly. Get an instrument for that that goes in the panel.

Stuart,

we put the vents into our 182 and added a Davtron M803 OAT/clock. Temp probe was run into the wing and uses an access plate. Could have put it into the vent tube from the wing but plate was easier.

RAS

You can improve the standard can vents in the single engine Cessnas by putting velcro (the soft loop side) on the can. Makes a great seal and holds them in place securely for just a few bucks.

Great idea David!! I bought new wool for the vents in my birddog but I think I'll give the Velco a try first.
Thanks
Dave

I sure like mine. OAT is in the windshield.

RE: the V brace

Someone posted my question to the Sporty's page that sells these. There were a couple of "shouldn't be a problem" answers. I'm not sure I believe it, as I can't get the old ones out without doing something fairly drastic. If the Precise Flight vents are shorter than the originals, I suppose I could cut the old ones to get them out, then maneuver the new ones in.

And maybe disconnecting the outboard ends of the V brace is no big deal, but it looks to me like you have to remove interior plastic to get at them.

Great idea David!! I bought new wool for the vents in my birddog but I think I'll give the Velco a try first.
Thanks
Dave

They look cool, Stuart, and no doubt enhance the looks of the cockpit. I tried them a few years ago, but was not happy with the noise from the higher velocity air coming from a reduced diameter orifice. I went back to the lowly Soros, and am satisfied with them.
Best,

Tom