Stupid pitot tube question
02-21-2011 | 01:17 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: CRJ
Stupid pitot tube question
Ok so say your flying along and only your pitot tube gets blocked (static still open). In the instrument flying handbook, it says it will act like an altimeter ie; climb higher=higher indicated airspeed. I see why that would be the case BUT wouldn't the pressure trapped in the pitot line escape out of the drain hole,causing it to go to zero?
02-21-2011 | 08:06 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
From: DHC-8 SIC
Actually your question is far from stupid if at all. That's interesting because they didn't teach that one on instrument ground school. I think it is such an important point. Suppose you are in IMC and your airspeed drops to 0 and you turn on pitot heat, nothing. You climb and descend to see if the airspeed will indeed act like an altimeter (like the book said it would), nothing. Either way the AI must be covered ASAP.
02-21-2011 | 12:14 PM
#8
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,874
Likes: 671
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Pitot and Drain Block = AS freezes on last indicated airspeed, then goes up and down wth altitude.
Pitot Block an Drain Clear = AS drops to zero
Static Port Block = ALT Freezes on last indicated, AS reads low if you climb, and high if you descend.
Pitot Block an Drain Clear = AS drops to zero
Static Port Block = ALT Freezes on last indicated, AS reads low if you climb, and high if you descend.
02-22-2011 | 05:45 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
02-22-2011 | 06:11 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Pitot Tube Advice- Never touch one when the pitot heat is on. I was helping a mechanic do an inspection the other day, and it is amazing how fast those things heat up. He flicked on the switch and yelled out "is it putting out heat" so like a moron I actually put my hand on it. After instantly pulling my hand off and waving it through the air while trying not to curse I managed to let him know that yes it is indeed heating up.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
