APM Pitot Tube Cover

thingiverse

As the title clearly states, this design revolves around creating an APM/PX4/Pixhawk pitot tube cover. I conceptualized this item for two main reasons: simplicity of calibration and protection during transportation. The 55mm coverage appears to be sufficient for most protruding pitot tubes from a wing or nose area. Keep in mind that externally mounted covers with brackets may not work efficiently, as they're designed to encase the initial centimeter or so within an airframe, secured with glue, etc. I almost crafted a flange to perfectly fit my own custom-built airframe, but then realized this would be limited to just that design, which isn't on the market... yet. So I opted for universality instead. A note of warning: If your 3D printer lacks accuracy and can't produce a precise circle, this cover might not fit snugly enough or might require more effort than needed to place it in position. However, if you have an accurate printer, it should slide over the pitot tube without much hassle and maintain a snug fit that's just right - not too tight so it won't allow for calibration but loose enough to provide friction and secure it during aircraft transportation. Perfect for preventing any issues that could arise during movement. Now let's move on to the assembly instructions. Simply print this item at as fine a resolution as your 3D printer allows (ranging from .1mm-.3mm). The cover should then slide smoothly over the pitot tube with no difficulty. If you find it to be a bit loose, just use one single layer of scotch (clear) tape placed strategically at the base of the item - not at the tip. This ensures that the pitot tube will continue to have enough freedom to move about without causing disruptions in the calibration process. The placement of this tape has been found to cause little interference in the flow of air and doesn't affect the APM/PX4/Pixhawk significantly during transportation. As an added benefit, I've observed that when using this method for securing the cover for transport, it becomes sufficiently snug so as not to interfere with calibration, allowing you to accurately read airspeeds and altitudes without worrying about discrepancies caused by air tightness.