Private Pilot Private Exam

What instrument does the pitot system provide impact pressure for?

1. Altimeter

2. Vertical speed indicator

3. Airspeed indicator

4. Heading indicator

The correct answer is: Airspeed indicator

The pitot system is crucial for providing accurate readings for the airspeed indicator. This system measures the dynamic pressure of the air as the aircraft moves through it. The impact pressure detected by the pitot tube is essential because it compares with the static pressure from another source to determine the difference, which is translated into airspeed. In essence, the airspeed indicator uses this difference between the impact pressure (from the pitot tube) and static pressure (from static ports) to display the aircraft's speed relative to the surrounding air. Without the pitot system, the airspeed indicator would not function correctly, making this instrument fundamentally reliant on the pressure inputs provided by the pitot system to determine how fast the aircraft is flying. The other instruments mentioned do not utilize the pitot system in the same way. The altimeter relies on static pressure to measure altitude, the vertical speed indicator uses changes in static pressure to determine the rate of ascent or descent, and the heading indicator works off of magnetic compass principles, not pressure.