Comments on: Heated probes?

Question: Heated probes?

scblackman — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:05:05 -0800

The "heated probes" on the outside of airplanes - the ones that you're not supposed to step on - what are they for? Why are they heated?

I've gotten on hundreds of airplanes and have seen these on a flight today it dawned on me that I have no idea what they're for. Google doesn't really help. Any amateur or professional pilots want to shed some light on the subject?

By: matty

matty — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:10:08 -0800

Pitot tubes.

By: matty

matty — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:11:02 -0800

also, they are heated so they don't ice over.

By: dawdle

dawdle — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:59:12 -0800

the ones under the aircraft are drain masts, also heated, where liquids poured down galley and lavatory sinks are evacuated.

By: matty

matty — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 17:04:02 -0800

and on some military aircraft, those drain masts drain some 'additional liquids' from the lavatory (or equivalent thereof). :)