9AN41 Aircraft instruments-II

Chapter 2
BASIC PITOT SYSTEM

Basic air data system:

It consists of a pitot static probe; three primary air data

instruments (ASI, AI, VSI) associated pipelines and drains. ASI indicates
the forward speed of aircraft. AI indicates the height and VSI indicate
the speed of ascent or descent.

Pitot static probes:

Probes are suitably located in the airstream. They are either pitot
and static combined tube type or a single pitot type. Single pitot type is
used on such air data system which uses remotely located static ports.
Modern aircraft uses combined type probes and in addition a separate
static port for reference, it termed as alternate source.
A probe of combined type has two tubes, one mounted
concentrically over another. The inner tube is for pitot pressure and the
outer tube senses the static pressure (ambient pressure) through drilled
holes on the pitot casing. Pitot probes are located generally at the
aircraft nose section of fuselage, but it may be present over/under wing
or fuselage depending upon the aircraft design. Protection against icing
is provided by a heating element around the tube. In the case of failed
heating element icing will block the air passage and air data reference
will be unavailable. To overcome such situations an alternate (2 nd pitot)
is fitted. In some aircraft more than two pitot probes are also used. The
probe is supported on a faired casing which is secured to the side of
fuselage by means of mounting flange.

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Pitot static tube mountings

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Alternate static vent

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Explanation of basic Pitot tube system:

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The pitot pressure and static pressure enters the probe which is
suitably located in the airstream. This pressure reaches the sensing
element within the indicator through pipe lines. The pressure
transmission produces small displacement of the sensing element in
such a manner that displacement corresponding to:
a. Airspeed is proportional to Pt Ps.
b. Altitude is inversely proportional to Ps.
c. Vertical speed is proportional to Ps Pc. (Pc is the case pressure)

Alternate pitot pressure and static pressure system:

Position error:
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It is also known as pressure error. It occurs when the true external

static pressure is not accurately transmitted to the instruments due to
effect of the air flow passing over the static vent. This error is generally
negligible at low speeds and altitudes but it can become significant at
high speeds. Reduction of such error is accomplished by careful probe or
vent design and its location on aircraft. Further residual error is
calibrated for each aircraft type and mentioned in aircrew manual. In
modern aircraft residual error is corrected by air data computer ADC or
pressure error corrector unit PECU. Modern aircraft uses transducers to
convert pressure energy into electrical signals in ADC to minimize
position errors.

Location of probes and static vents:

The choice of probe locations depends on the aircraft type, its

speed range and its aerodynamic characteristics. Thus there is no
standard for all type of aircraft. The actual PE due to a chosen location
is determined during initial flight trials of a prototype, and is finally
presented in a tabular or graphical format.

Typical locations are:

a. Ahead of a wing tip or vertical stabilizer tip or under a wing.
b. At the side of fuselage nose section and ahead of nose section.
c. Independent static vents are always located one on each side of
fuselage and interconnected so as to balance - out dynamic
pressure effects due to yawing or side slip motion.

Precautions for pitot static system:

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Appropriate pitot cover is to be put ON immediately after flight

to prevent ingress of insects or water/ moisture/ dirt.
Appropriate precautions are to be observed as specified during
servicing/ washing/ painting of aircraft to prevent ingress of
water/ oil/ paint into the Pitot tube.
Proper fit of probes must be ascertained during servicing.
At specified intervals the static vents are to be cleaned and the
system must be drained.
During ground checks, the heating system is switch ON to check
the pitot tube is getting warm. Then switch OFF heating system.
This heating system is provided for prevention of ice formation
inside the tube during flight.
Always use specified static vent plugs having suitable streamers.
Ensure that the brass plate of static vents is cleaned and polished.

Safety consideration and emergencies of pitot system:

Failure of pitot/ static pressure source may occur during flight due
to ice formation in the tube, if the heating system fails or due to
instruments/pipe line failure. All instruments depending on the pressure
source will show error due to blockage/leakage. In order to overcome
such emergencies a standby pitot/ static source is provided which can
be connected to the primary instrument by manually selecting to the
alternate source. These selectors are located within easy reach of pilot
and co-pilot. Whenever the pitot static system fails, it is an emergency
situatation. Under such circumstances the aircraft must land at the
nearest aerodrome for rectification of the pitot-static system.

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