Pitot Tube Advice- Never touch one when the pitot heat is on. I was helping a mechanic do an inspection the other day, and it is amazing how fast those things heat up. He flicked on the switch and yelled out "is it putting out heat" so like a moron I actually put my hand on it. After instantly pulling my hand off and waving it through the air while trying not to curse I managed to let him know that yes it is indeed heating up.