How many Pitot Probe Heaters are required for RVSM?

How many Pitot Probe Heaters are required for RVSM?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 0

Answer: (B)

In RVSM operations, you must have two independent pitot-static air data channels. Each channel relies on its own pitot probe, and to keep the data accurate in icing conditions, every pitot probe used for RVSM must be heated. Therefore, you need a pitot probe heater on each pitot probe involved in the two channels, which totals two heaters. Having only one heater would leave one channel vulnerable to icing and data loss, and zero would make RVSM compliance impossible. Using more than two heaters isn’t required for the standard RVSM setup.

In RVSM operations, you must have two independent pitot-static air data channels. Each channel relies on its own pitot probe, and to keep the data accurate in icing conditions, every pitot probe used for RVSM must be heated. Therefore, you need a pitot probe heater on each pitot probe involved in the two channels, which totals two heaters. Having only one heater would leave one channel vulnerable to icing and data loss, and zero would make RVSM compliance impossible. Using more than two heaters isn’t required for the standard RVSM setup.