Pitot-static system

Vocabulary:
1) pitot-static system – піто-статична система
2) sensor – датчик
3) ambient air pressure – тиск навколишнього повітря
4) pitot heater switch – перемикач обігрівача приймача повітряного тиску
5) airspeed indicator – індикатор швидкості повітря
6) vertical speed indicator – індикатор вертикальної швидкості
7) altimeter – висотомір
8) static port – статичний порт
9) pitot tube – трубка Піто
10) pressure chamber – камера тиску
11) drain opening – зливний отвір
12) alternate static source – альтернативне статичне джерело

Description
An aircraft pitot-static system comprises a number of sensors which detect the ambient
air pressure affected (pitot pressure) and unaffected (static pressure) by the forward motion of
the aircraft. These pressures are used on their own or in combination with each other to
provide indications of various flight parameters.

Diagram of a pitot-static system including the pitot tube, pitot-static instruments and
static port
These include:
Altitude (Altimeter)
Airspeed (Air Speed Indicator)
Mach Number (Machmeter)
Vertical speed (Vertical Speed Indicator).
Pitot and static pressure are also used in other equipment, such as the Autopilot and the
Cabin Altimeter.
Static Pressure
Static pressure is measured through a number of vents, situated at aerodynamically
neutral points on the aircraft fuselage. Vents are sited on either side of the fuselage and feed
into a common tube; this has the effect of cancelling out to some extent errors arising from the
position of the vents.
 A combination of careful vent siting and accurate calibration reduces errors to an
acceptable degree.
Commercial aircraft have at least two completely independent static systems to provide
redundancy in the case of system failure.
Static vents are often plugged when the aircraft is parked for more than a short period of
time to reduce the chance of blockage or contamination. Vents may be electrically heated to
prevent blockage by ice.
Pitot Pressure
Pitot Static System

Pitot pressure is measured in a pitot tube or pressure head, which is an open tube facing
forward along the axis of the aircraft. The pressure measured in the tube is a combination of
static pressure and pressure due to the aircraft forward speed. Pitot tubes are carefully sited to
reduce to a minimum error due to the flow of air over the aircraft.
Commercial aircraft have at least two completely independent pitot systems to provide
redundancy in the case of system failure.
Pitot tubes are normally covered when the aircraft is parked for more than a short period
of time to reduce the chance of blockage or contamination. They are invariably electrically
heated to reduce contamination by moisture and prevent blockage by ice.

Air Data Computer