Pitot sensor is used to measure the speed of the airplane. It is a differential pressure sensor. It measures the difference between a static port (not in the air stream) and a Pitot tube which is directly placed in the path of air flow.When the plane is stationary, the pressure in both the tubes is equal and the air speed is zero. When the plane is moving, air enters the pitot sensor. This causes the pressure difference between the static tube and the pitot tube. An internal amplifier creates an amplified voltage output and hence the sensor can be connected directly to control unit and data acquisition systems. The output voltage changes with the difference in pressure between the two ports.
Advantages
1) Low cost
2) Easy installation
3) No moving parts
4) Light weight
Pitot sensors were used to determine the speed on the Air France Air bus plane which crashed into Atlantic Ocean on 1st June 2009.
French investigators have concluded that the pilots received inconsistent information about their speed shortly before crash, possibly from malfunctioning the Pitot sensors.
There were severe thunderstorms in the area of the crash and some suspicion that the aircraft was hit by lightning or encountered severe turbulence. There were a number of other aircrafts which had taken similar routes before and after this flight but none of them reported any severe weather conditions.
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Advantages
1) Low cost
2) Easy installation
3) No moving parts
4) Light weight
Pitot sensors were used to determine the speed on the Air France Air bus plane which crashed into Atlantic Ocean on 1st June 2009.
French investigators have concluded that the pilots received inconsistent information about their speed shortly before crash, possibly from malfunctioning the Pitot sensors.
There were severe thunderstorms in the area of the crash and some suspicion that the aircraft was hit by lightning or encountered severe turbulence. There were a number of other aircrafts which had taken similar routes before and after this flight but none of them reported any severe weather conditions.
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