What is Pitot tube?

Pitot tubes are used on aircraft as speedometers. The actual tube on the aircraft is around 10 inches (25 centimeters) long with a 1/2 inch (1 centimeter) diameter. Several small holes are drilled around the outside of the tube and a center hole is drilled down the axis of the tube. read more

A Pitot (/ ˈ p iː t oʊ / PEE-toh) tube, also known as Pitot probe, is a flow measurement device used to measure fluid flow velocity. The pitot tube was invented by the French engineer Henri Pitot in the early 18th century and was modified to its modern form in the mid-19th century by French scientist Henry Darcy. read more

The pitot tube is a classic fluid dynamic sensor named for its inventor, Henri Pitot, who in the 18th century developed it to measure the speed of rivers and canals in France. Airbus's pitot tubes were known to have icing problems, and Air France had begun replacing them on April 27 when an improved version was released. read more