Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

These two simple features power three of the most important cockpit instruments. This setup is called the pitot-static system. 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.

Pitot Tube

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.

True Airspeed

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

Combining the data shown on your cockpit instruments helps you make better judgments. It’s typically measured in knots (nautical miles per hour), with one knot being about 1.15 One example is Indicated Airspeed (IAS), which is the airspeed you read directly from cockpit instruments. miles per hour.

True Airspeed

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

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. The DC-6 rewarded my use of the reverser with a cacophony of wonderful radial engine noise.

Flight Deck

AeroSavvy

OCTOBER 26, 2020

Airlines are upgrading older cockpits with newer displays, so this old indicator will soon become a relic. Ram air from a pitot tube and static (undisturbed) outside air from a static port, usually a hole on the side of the fuselage. V MO on the 767 is between 340-360 knots (depending on aircraft serial number).

Pitot Tube

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

When you’re starting to feel human again after major surgery, what’s a good plan for getting safely back into the cockpit? This 172 had a flap extension speed of 85 knots, and my old Cessna 172’s limit was 100 mph, or 87 knots. I had a total knee replacement. These discrepancies helped me get my head back in the game.

Pitot Tube