Which device measures total pressure in the pitot-static system?

Which device measures total pressure in the pitot-static system?

• A. Pitot tube
• B. Static port
• C. Airspeed indicator
• D. Dynamic pressure sensor

Answer: (A)

In a pitot-static system, the device that provides the total (stagnation) pressure is the pitot tube. It faces into the airflow and brings the air to a stop, creating stagnation pressure that equals the static pressure plus the dynamic pressure. This total pressure is what the airspeed indicator ultimately uses to infer speed. The static port, by contrast, measures only static pressure, which is used as a reference against total pressure to determine dynamic pressure. The airspeed indicator relies on the difference between total pressure and static pressure, not on measuring total pressure directly. A dynamic pressure sensor would measure the pressure due to motion, but in typical aircraft pitot-static systems the pitot tube is the component that provides the total pressure input.

In a pitot-static system, the device that provides the total (stagnation) pressure is the pitot tube. It faces into the airflow and brings the air to a stop, creating stagnation pressure that equals the static pressure plus the dynamic pressure. This total pressure is what the airspeed indicator ultimately uses to infer speed. The static port, by contrast, measures only static pressure, which is used as a reference against total pressure to determine dynamic pressure. The airspeed indicator relies on the difference between total pressure and static pressure, not on measuring total pressure directly. A dynamic pressure sensor would measure the pressure due to motion, but in typical aircraft pitot-static systems the pitot tube is the component that provides the total pressure input.