Which instrument uses data from the pitot-static system to determine airspeed?

Which instrument uses data from the pitot-static system to determine airspeed?

• A. Attitude indicator
• B. Turn coordinator
• C. Airspeed indicator
• D. Vertical speed indicator

Answer: (C)

Airspeed is found by comparing the pressure from the pitot tube with ambient static pressure. The airspeed indicator uses this differential pressure to drive a diaphragm (or similar mechanism) and translate it into an indicated airspeed on the scale. The pitot tube provides the total (pitot) pressure, which includes dynamic pressure as you move through the air, while the static pressure comes from the static ports. The instrument is specifically built to interpret that pressure difference as airspeed, so it’s the one designed to tell you how fast you’re traveling through the air. Other instruments serve different roles: the attitude indicator relies on a gyroscope to show aircraft orientation; the turn coordinator uses a rate gyro to sense rate of turn; the vertical speed indicator uses changes in static pressure to indicate climb or descent rate.

Airspeed is found by comparing the pressure from the pitot tube with ambient static pressure. The airspeed indicator uses this differential pressure to drive a diaphragm (or similar mechanism) and translate it into an indicated airspeed on the scale. The pitot tube provides the total (pitot) pressure, which includes dynamic pressure as you move through the air, while the static pressure comes from the static ports. The instrument is specifically built to interpret that pressure difference as airspeed, so it’s the one designed to tell you how fast you’re traveling through the air.

Other instruments serve different roles: the attitude indicator relies on a gyroscope to show aircraft orientation; the turn coordinator uses a rate gyro to sense rate of turn; the vertical speed indicator uses changes in static pressure to indicate climb or descent rate.