airspeed vs dynamic air pressure

[MikeSt]

Given "standard day" conditions, what is the relationship between impact pressure on a pitot tube and the indicated airspeed ?

I found this formuala :

velocity = square root of (2 x [impact pressure - static pressure] / air density).


To solve for Vel = 1, (1 what ?? .. ft/sec ?), I used Static= 14.7 lb/in^2, air_density= .00237 slug/ft^3

got impact_press = 14.701185 lb/in^2

Is that correct ? (14.701185 lb/in^2 pressure difference = 1 ft/sec ?


If so, how would I solve for Vel=XX. I realize it's a "basic" math question, but basic math is not one of my strong points ;)

Mike

[Dick Huang]

Hi Mike,
I use the equation for dynamic pressure(q) where
q= 1/2 Rho*V^2
q is in lbs/ft^2, Rho is in slugs/ft^3 or lbs-sec^2/ft^4 and V is in ft/sec.

If we assume 88 ft/sec (60 mph) for V,
then q=0.5*0.002377*(88)^2=9.20 lbs/ft^2. which will be the total pressure on a pitot tube.

Dick Huang:)

[Sparky Paul]

Total pressure is static + dynamic (q).
A conventional airspeed indicator subtracts (it's vented to static) static from total to show "airspeed", which is actually the dynamic pressure. The bent tube that runs the needle in the airspeed indicator reads total directly.
.
The altimeter shows static pressure.

[MikeSt]

Originally posted by Dick Huang
Hi Mike,
I use the equation for dynamic pressure(q) where
q= 1/2 Rho*V^2
q is in lbs/ft^2, Rho is in slugs/ft^3 or lbs-sec^2/ft^4 and V is in ft/sec.

If we assume 88 ft/sec (60 mph) for V,
then q=0.5*0.002377*(88)^2=9.20 lbs/ft^2. which will be the total pressure on a pitot tube.

Dick Huang:)


Thanks Dick.

I've read about "q" before, time to review it again :)

Mike

[Sail 'n Soar]

QUOTE]Given "standard day" conditions, what is the relationship between impact pressure on a pitot tube and the indicated airspeed ? [/QUOTE]

An interesting discussion, but why do you ask?:confused:

In terms of modeling, the important thing to know is "q", calculated as Dick Huang suggests. Seeing that q is a function of the velocity squared, in terms of Standard day, 20 fps (13.6 mph) equates to about 7.6 oz/sq ft, 40 fps to 30.4 oz/sq ft, and and 60 fps to 68.5 oz/sq ft. These are the numbers that relate to stall speeds for a given wing loading, design CL, etc.

[MikeSt]

.

[MikeSt]

An interesting discussion, but why do you ask?:confused:



Why is the sky blue ? :)

Nothing really to do with *practical* modeling (airspeed question).

But I figured someone here would know the answer. :)

[Capt. Electron]

To add a little more to it, 'indicated airspeed' on the dial is not true airspeed. True airspeed is indicated airspeed adjusted for temperature (density). Full scale pilots use indicated airspeed plus outside air temp to compute their true airspeed.

Jimmy

[gleasonll]

just to add a little confusion--don't forget to add calibrated airspeed (indicated airspeed corrected for position error) between indicated and true.