Wasted $600 on a bad pitot-static tester last fall

I bought a used pitot-static tester off a guy in Phoenix for $600 because I thought I was getting a deal. Hooked it up on a King Air 350 and the readings were all over the place, couldn't even pass a basic leak check. Turns out the seals were shot and it would cost almost as much to fix as a new one. Any of you guys had luck buying test gear used or should I just stick with new from now on?

2 comments

2 Comments

thea_mitchell201mo ago

Yeah I read a thread on one of the maintenance forums a while back where a few guys were saying they had decent luck with pitot-static testers from estate sales or old shop cleanouts, but the catch was they always had to factor in a full rebuild upfront. That $600 price tag does sound like a red flag to me though, most of the reliable used ones I've seen people talk about go for closer to $1200-$1500 even in rough shape. The seals thing is a common issue on those older units, especially if they sat in a hot hangar for years without being cycled. My take is used can work out if you're willing to spend the time and maybe another couple hundred on parts, but in your case it sounds like the seller knew it was junk. Sorry that happened to you for sure.

dakota_nelson431mo ago

Yeah, that "seller knew it was junk" part hits the nail on the head. A $600 tester that needs a full rebuild and has bad seals isn't a deal, it's someone else's trash. Sorry you got burned, but at least the lesson didn't cost you too much more than a nice weekend dinner.