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Aircraft speed: Difference between revisions
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==Pitot tube== | ==Pitot tube== | ||
The pitot tube is the tool to measure the airspeed. It is a tube directed forwards. The air is being pushed inwards (rammed) by the motion of the aircraft and the (ram) pressure is measured. The measured pressure is corrected indicating the airspeed. Bigger aircraft have two pitot tubes and the indicator displays the average of the two. However, most often only one pitot tube is used | The pitot tube is the tool to measure the airspeed. It is a tube directed forwards, exposed to the airstream. The air is being pushed inwards (rammed) by the motion of the aircraft and the (ram) pressure is measured. The measured pressure is corrected indicating the airspeed. Bigger aircraft have two pitot tubes and the indicator displays the average of the two. However, most often only one pitot tube is used to control the autopilot, even when the indicator is connected with two. | ||
The pitot tube can be blocked easy, once blocked, or worse, partially blocked the IAS will have no relation with the speed of the aircraft. This situation is enhanced if the pitot tube controlling the autopilot is blocked. | The pitot tube can be blocked easy, once blocked, or worse, partially blocked the IAS will have no relation with the speed of the aircraft. This situation is enhanced if the pitot tube controlling the autopilot is blocked. | ||
Ice is a known cause of blockage of the pitot tube hence there are pitot heaters | Ice is a known cause of blockage of the pitot tube hence there are pitot heaters that should prevent forming of ice. Another known cause of blockage are insects. Blockage of pitot tubes is a known cause of some very dramatic accidents and every pilot should learn how to deal with strange behaving speed indicators and autopilots. | ||
==Additional information== | ==Additional information== | ||