Some Practical Aspects of the Calibration of Air Data Systems

Abstract

The air data system of an aircraft includes, amongst other items, the airspeed indicator, altimeter and machmeter all of which derive their readings from measurement of air pressures. The instruments are designed on the assumption that they will be fed with pressures from the undisturbed free‐stream in which the aircraft is flying; this is not generally the case. In flight the aircraft disturbs the air mass and in doing so causes a pressure field around itself which produces the forces necessary for lift and control. The pressure sensors which detect the airstream pressures may be located within the aircraft pressure field and the pressures transmitted to the instruments may not correspond to the free‐stream pressures; if this is so then the instrument indications will be in error.

Citation

(1979), "Some Practical Aspects of the Calibration of Air Data Systems", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 51 No. 12, pp. 21-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb035586