AIR DATA INSTRUMENTS

An air data system of an aircraft is one in which the total pressure created by the forward motion of an aircraft and the static pressure of the atmosphere surrounding it , are sensed and measured in terms of speed, altitude and rate of altitude change (vertical speed) The measurements of these three parameters may be done by connecting the appropriate sensors , either directly to mechanical type instruments , or to a remotely located air data computer which then transmits the data in electrical signal format to electro-mechanical or servo type instruments Since the primary source is air for these measurements is the earths atmosphere itself then it is necessary to have some understanding of its characteristics before going into the operating principles of the measuring instruments and systems involved.

Standard atmosphere
In order to obtain indications of airspeed, altitude and vertical speed , it is of course necessary to know the relationship between the pressure, temperature and density variables, and altitude. It has always been practice to base all measurements and calculations on what is termed a standard atmosphere. Or one in which the values of pressure, temperature and density at different altitudes are assumed to be constant

 The assumptions are: The atmospheric pressure at mean sea level is equal to 14.7 psi, 1013.25 mb, or 29.291 in Hg The temperature at mean sea level is 15 C (59F) The air temperature decreases by 1.98 C(3.556 F) for every 1000ft increase in altitude from 15C at mean sea level to -56.5C(-69.7F) at 36090 Ft

Heating Circuit Arrangements

Heating Circuit Arrangements

The direct current for heating is controlled by a switch located on a cockpit control panel, and it is usual to provide some form of indication of whether or not the circuit is functioning correctly.

(a)Light and relay

Operation
Control switch, when in the 'on' position, allows current to flow to the heater via the coil. If a failure of the heater, or a break in another section of its circuit, occurs the relay will de-energize and its contacts will then complete the circuit from the second pole of the switch to illuminate the red light which gives warning of the failed circuit condition. The broken lines show an alternative arrangement of the light circuit whereby illumination of an amber light indicates that the heater circuit is in operation.

(b)Ammeter

Magnetic indicator and relay

Pressure (postion) error

Measurement of airspeed and altitude, by means of a pitot-static probe, has always presented two main difficulties:
one, to design a probe which will not cause any disturbance to the airflow over it; and the other, to find a suitable location on an aircraft where the probe will not be affected by air disturbances due to the aircraft

PE
These effects of such disturbances are greatest on the static pressure measuring section of a pitotstatic system giving rise to apressure or position error (PE) which is defined as
the amount by which the local static pressure at a given point in the flow field differs from the free stream static pressure

As a result of PE, an altimeter and an airspeed indicator can develop positive or negative errors. The vertical speed indicator remains unaffected.