FAQ: How is Airspeed Really Measured.

The Bernoulli equation (P T - P S = ½ ρ V2 ) helps explain how airspeed is

measured. In fact, the pitot-static system used to measure airspeed on virtually
all aircraft flying today is based upon use of Bernoulli’s equation.

Lets look at the Bernoulli Equation.

P T - P S = ½ ρ V2
• P S is the local static pressure, and is measured by the aircraft’s static
ports.
• Dynamic Pressure is represented as ½ ρ V2 in the Bernoulli Equation.
Dynamic pressure IS NOT measured by the aircraft’s pitot tube. Dynamic
pressures is calculated by the aircraft’s airspeed indicator. More on this
process later.
• P T is the total pressure in a system. The pitot tube measures the total
pressure at the stagnation point that is created at the pitot tube.

The measurement of free stream dynamic pressure is fundamental to the

indication of airspeed. In aerodynamic flows there exists a stagnation point.
The stagnation point is that point in the flow where the fluid comes to rest and the
velocity is zero. At the stagnation point the flow has stagnated and the relative
velocity of the flow is zero, so the dynamic pressure at that point is zero. This
means the velocity at the pitot tube has zero velocity. To maintain a constant
total pressure, static pressure must rise as dynamic pressure decreases. In fact,
to conform with Bernoulli’s equation, the static pressure at the pitot tube must
equal the total pressure in the free flow. Thus, at the stagnation point there will
exist a static pressure that is equal to the airstream total pressure (ambient static
pressure plus dynamic pressure).

A pitot tube creates a stagnation point at its entrance (at zero angle of attack). A
pitot tube alone measures the total pressure, this is the PT value in the Bernoulli
Equation. In a pitot-static airspeed measurement system, pitot pressure is
balanced by static pressure that is collected from another location. A system
schematic is provided for emphasis, see Figure 1. The static pressure source
takes pressure from a hole that is oriented at 90 degrees to the flow. Since the
flow cannot enter the port directly, only static pressure without a dynamic
pressure component is introduced to the static port. The total pressure from the
pitot tube and the static pressure from the static port are admitted to a chamber
on opposite sides of a diaphragm that measures the difference between the two.
This camber is located within the aircraft’s airspeed indicator.
Mathematically expressed, the measurement made at the diaphragm is total
pressure minus static pressure, or P T - P S. By Bernoulli’s equation, P T - P S =
½ ρ V2 . This term, ½ ρ V2, is referred to as the dynamic pressure.

By attaching the diaphragm to a gauge that has been calibrated for a standard
sea level density and geared to compensate for the squared term, we can
measure airspeed. Therefore your airspeed gauge is really measuring the
change in dynamic pressure of the flow.

The airspeed
indicated on your
airspeed gage is
termed
‘INDICATED’
airspeed, and is
calculated utilizing
a spring within the
airspeed indicator
that is calibrated
for sea level
density. In order to
calculate ‘TRUE’
airspeed you must
apply a density
correction. Your
onboard computer
does this for you. Figure 1. Pitot-Static System