Actually, my question was intended to be a "generic" question.

I am looking at several different Light Sport Aircraft, and none of the
specs mention Pitot Heat, either as a standard item or as an option.

I'm not tied to a desk, so, if the planets and stars all align, I will be in
a situation where I can be sitting in my living room, decide to "go", and be
in the air in about an hour.

But given that I am in Chicago, I'm trying to determine the absolute
necessity of pitot heat, as, since I will only have a Sport Pilot ticket, I
will be restricted to VFR day only.

I'm already planning to spend the extra $$$ to get carb heat, which is an
option on most of the a/c I'm looking at, and now I'm looking at pitot heat.

Thanks to everyone who's already replied...



"BTIZ" wrote in message
news:iiZ7e.12008$%c1.1265@fed1read05...
it would have helped if the original poster had mentioned the
yr/make/model
of the aircraft..
I agree that Bob's first answer was correct... check the certification..
and
go by that..

BT

"Bob Gardner" wrote in message
...
The 1956(?) Cessna 175 I once owned had pitot heat, but I can't deny
that
you are right. I wonder how many questions posed in the newsgroups would
be answered differently if we took into account the totality of GA
history. I know that there are a lot of CAR 3 airplanes still flying in
the GA fleet, but I have a habit of answering questions based on more
recent standards.

Bob

"Bill Zaleski" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 11:13:57 -0700, "Bob Gardner"
wrote:

FAR 23.1323(d) tells manufacturers that if IFR certification is
requested,
pitot heat is required. Check your AFM to see if the plane is
certificated
for IFR and you have your answer....if it is "yes," the airplane is not
airworthy without it.

Bob Gardner

"Lakeview Bill" wrote in message
.com...
How necessary would it be to have a pitot heater if you are flying
year-round VFR day (only) in the Chicago area?


Many small single engine aircraft are IFR capable and airworthy, but
were never built with pitot heat. The early PA 28-140 and Cessna 175
didn't even have a pitot head, let alone heat. Just an end of an
aluminum tube end pointing forward. Still legal per the original
drawings. CAR 3 certification basis, Bob, not Part 23.