jetcareers - View Single Post - How Does A Pitot Static System ACTUALLY Work?

aerospacepilot · September 24th, 2007, 15:20

I am majoring in Aerospace Engineering, and I know all about the math behind a pitot static system. Basically static pressure + dynamic pressure = total pressure. Static pressure is measured from the static source, and the total pressure is measured at the tip of the pitot tube. Dynamic pressure = .5*density*velocity^2, and the density for low speed airplanes is just the standard sea level value. So by rearraging the equations, you can come up with an equation for equivalent airspeed.

But that wasn't good enough on my IFR checkride oral. The examiner wanted to know HOW the pitot-tube and static source ACTUALLY measured the pressure, how the difference (P_total - P_static) is determined, and how that values is placed on the airspeed indicator. Does anyone know how this mechanical system works?

Also, for the engineers, are equivalent airpseed and indicated airspeed the same thing??
Thanks.

September 24th, 2007, 15:20	#1
aerospacepilot Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, CA or Boulder, CO Posts: 203	How Does A Pitot Static System ACTUALLY Work? I am majoring in Aerospace Engineering, and I know all about the math behind a pitot static system. Basically static pressure + dynamic pressure = total pressure. Static pressure is measured from the static source, and the total pressure is measured at the tip of the pitot tube. Dynamic pressure = .5densityvelocity^2, and the density for low speed airplanes is just the standard sea level value. So by rearraging the equations, you can come up with an equation for equivalent airspeed. But that wasn't good enough on my IFR checkride oral. The examiner wanted to know HOW the pitot-tube and static source ACTUALLY measured the pressure, how the difference (P_total - P_static) is determined, and how that values is placed on the airspeed indicator. Does anyone know how this mechanical system works? Also, for the engineers, are equivalent airpseed and indicated airspeed the same thing?? Thanks. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX6pNsQzRy4 Props are 4 boats. Jets are 4 hot tubs. Rockets are for aerospacepilot!