What are the components that are typically in an air data system?
Typical components in a traditional system include static pressure ports cross-plumbed to provide 3 static pressure readings. Pitot tubes to provide total or dynamic pressure. Total Air Temperature (TAT) probes (also called Outside Air Temperature or OAT). Angle of Attack (AOA) sensors. Air Data Computer (ADC) which calculates Mach number, airspeed, pressure altitude, and altitude rate of change.
What is considered air data sensors?
AMETEK Sensors and Fluid Management Systems (SFMS) offers a variety of critical air data sensors for the aerospace industry including angle of attack sensors, total air temperature sensors, air data computers, and total air probes.
What is the purpose of air data systems?
The purpose of an aircraft’s Air Data System is to provide altitude, airspeed, rate of climb, and other critical flight parameters to the pilot and flight management system. A Stall Warning System measures the angle of attack (AOA) of the aircraft and indicates when it becomes excessive.
How is airspeed calculated?
Altitude is determined from the static pressure, whereas airspeed is calculated from several measurements. Airspeed requires knowing the Total Pressure, which is the static pressure plus the dynamic pressure (also called “ram pressure”). Indicated Airspeed (IAS) estimates velocity assuming sea level and standard day temperature - Static Air Pressure (SAP), Total Air Pressure (TAP). True Airspeed (TAS) corrects for altitude and nonstandard day temperature - Static Air Pressure, Total Air Pressure, Static Air Temperature.
What is angle of attack in aviation?
The Angle of Attack (AOA) is the pitch angle of an object such as an airfoil, wing, or aircraft relative to the airflow. The lift (or upward force) of an airfoil or wing increases as the AOA increases until a critical angle where lift abruptly decreases. This abrupt loss of lift due to excessive AOA is called a stall. Angle of Attack (AOA) sensors measure pitch angle of aircraft relative to the airflow. Older or smaller aircraft use a simple stall warning switch on the wing that senses excessive AOA. Most popular style of AOA sensor is a vane mounted on the fuselage that aligns with the flow. Stall warning can consist of light bulb, horn or stick shaker.
What is a total air temperature sensor?
Total Air Temperature (TAT) sensors measure the temperature of airflow including the effects of air speed. AMETEK SFMS pedigree started with aircraft engine total temperature probes certified for turbine engines. AMETEK has expanded its TAT sensor capability to include fuselage mounted components.
What is an air data computer?
An Air Data Computer (ADC) is a component that assimilates inputs from an aircraft's external and system sensors and returns a series of calculated results critical to aircraft control. ADCs contain components to provide the static and total pressure values and utilize a digital signal processor for fast calculation and response of air data parameters.
What is a total air probe?
The uniquely designed Total Air Probe™ replaces several traditional, separate and redundantly installed, air data sensors/probes. Replaced sensors/probes include:
- Mechanical angle of attack sensors
- Total air temperature sensors
- Pitot probes
- Static air ports
Through a single connection, the Total Air Probe™ provides measurements for total and static pressure