[jhb] Re: Pireps

  • From: "Fred Stopforth" <fredstopforth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <jhb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 23:21:59 +0100

Brilliant Frank the penny dropped for me.So few words.So much info. Fred
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: FrankTurley@xxxxxxx 
  To: jhb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 8:06 AM
  Subject: [jhb] Re: Pireps


  In a message dated 10/09/2007 21:32:58 GMT Daylight Time, 
pdodds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
    The pitot head is parallel to the chord of the wing.  At zero angle of
    attack, the air flow is parallel to the wing chord, and the little
    molecules are hurtling straight up the hole in the pitot tube. TAS=IAS.

    At near stall speed, the angle of attack is over 10 degrees.  This means
    that the airflow approaching the wing is at an angle of over 10 degrees
    to the wing chord from beneath.  It is therefore also at an angle of 10
    degrees to the pitot tube.  Those little molecules hurtling towards it
    have to change direction by 10 degrees to go up the pitot tube, so they
    bounce off the inner wall and then off the other and so on.  Also fewer
    of them go up the tube - some bounce away. Bit like blowing across the
    top of a beer bottle - not much air goes into the bpttle - most of it
    passes over the top. 

    Eventually those that do get to the end exert pressure on the Air Speed
    indicator gubbins. In changing direction and rattling about inside the
    tube they also lose energy. The loss of energy and the fewer molecules
    getting up there equates to the ASI giving a lower reading than TAS.

    Peter


  Thanks Peter, I think what you are saying is that the tube loses its 
efficiency as the angle moves from the direct input. That makes sense.

  Frank T.


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