Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

In this article, well break down how the pitot-static system works, what it measures, and why its so important. Key Takeaways The pitot-static system measures airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed. Blockages in the pitot tube or static port can lead to inaccurate or failed instrument readings.

Pitot Tube 98

Pitot Tube Altimeter Descent Airplanes 98

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

In order to be flown by a sport pilot, the resulting airplane must still meet the current regulations—1,320 pounds maximum gross weight, 120 knots max cruise speed, for example—but how it gets there is up to the builder. Airplanes in the LSA category have some performance limitations, so the RV-12 gets right to the 120-knot max cruise figure.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Knot Pitot Tube Gross Weight 98

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

It’s typically measured in knots (nautical miles per hour), with one knot being about 1.15 It works by reading the difference between static pressure and total pressure from air flowing into a pitot tube. For example, if you’re flying at 90 knots IAS at 7,000 feet, your true airspeed will be around 102 knots.

True Airspeed 52

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Altimeter Lift 52

Pilot Institute

JULY 11, 2025

Since it’s a ratio, it doesn’t matter if you measure speed in knots, miles per hour, or meters per second. At sea level on a standard day (15 °C or 59 °F), sound travels about 661 knots (approximately 761 mph or 1,225 km/h). Here, Mach 1 is roughly 573 knots (about 659 mph). The Mach value stays the same.

Pilot 52

Pilot True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Lift 52

Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

The general prognosis indicated no icing in the clouds, no turbulence and a quartering headwind from the west resulting in a mere five knots of headwind component. Instead of a gentle breeze out of the west, we had over 20 knots of headwind blowing out of the south. Obviously, the winds aloft were nowhere near forecast.

VOR 52

VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

Fear of Landing

MAY 9, 2025

During the take-off roll, the first officer noticed that although the Challenger 300 was accelerating normally, the right-side primary flight control had stopped showing acceleration above 40 knots. The captain slowed the aircraft from 104 knots and exited the runway onto a taxiway. He called out that he had no airspeed.

Turbulence 99

Turbulence V Speed Rudder Air Traffic Control 99

Flying Magazine

JULY 11, 2025

Zooming onto the aluminum skin of the DC-6 reveals that no pitot tube, landing gear strut, or antenna detail was ignored in its construction. I crossed over the fence on 4L at 120 knots, just a bit fast, bringing the throttles to idle.

Flight Deck 88

Flight Deck Descent Airplanes Pitot Tube 88