What do pitot tubes measure in an aircraft?

Pitot tubes are crucial instruments used in an aircraft to measure airspeed. They function by capturing the dynamic pressure of the air flowing into the tube as the aircraft moves through the atmosphere. This dynamic pressure is then converted into a speed reading, commonly referred to as indicated airspeed.

The measurement process relies on the principle that as the aircraft speeds up, the pressure increases; hence the pitot tube measures this pressure increase to determine how fast the aircraft is moving. This information is essential for pilots to maintain control over the aircraft and ensure safe operations during flight.

Other measurements, such as altitude and temperature, are taken using different instruments designed specifically for those purposes, while the pitot tube is specifically dedicated to speed measurement.