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The airspeed indicator seems like a straightforward enough instrument at first glance. Theres only one needle, and it points to numbers on the gauge, and that's how fast youre going. It seems pretty easy, and it is! But there is much more information on the instrument than you might notice at first.

For a start almost every aircraft's airspeed indicator is equipped with an adjustable outer ring which you can set for the current outside air temperature. This has the advantage of giving you "true airspeed" (corrected for temperature) as opposed to "indicated airspeed"

Also, you may notice a series of colored arcs alongside the numbers on the dial. These arcs indicate ranges of air speeds where some maneuvers or devices are permitted or forbidden. For example, the green arc usually indicates the range of speeds where flaps can safely be used (with a white sub-arc showing where landing gear may be extended) extending the flaps or the landing gear at too high a speed may damage the mechanisms or the airframe. The bottom of these arcs would then be the aircrafts stall speed. The yellow arcs usually indicate maximum or cruising speeds (depending on turbulence factors) and a small red arc indicates the "never exceed" airspeed which is the aircrafts maximum design airspeed.

Jet aircraft may have a separate gauge for displaying mach speed (which is dependent on altitude) this gauge is called a machmeter.

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Related Questions

What is an airspeed indicator?

An airspeed indicator is an aviation instrument which displays an aircraft's current airspeed.


How airspeed indicator function?

The airspeed indicator or airspeed gauge is an instrument used in an aircraft to display the airspeed in knots


What is True airspeed indicator?

It's an airspeed indicator that compensates for outside temperature and barometric pressure at altitude.


What tells you how fast an airplane goes?

Airspeed Indicator.


Who invented the Airspeed indicator?

Alexander Ogilvie from England


How an airspeed indicator works?

An airspeed indicator works by measuring the difference between the ram air pressure from the pitot tube (which faces forward into the airstream) and the static air pressure from the static port. The difference in pressures is converted into an airspeed reading on the instrument display. As the aircraft moves through the air, the pressure differential changes, and the airspeed indicator reflects these changes in real time.


How does airspeed indicator work?

The airspeed indicator operates based on the difference between the pressure of the pitot tube (ram air pressure) and the static port (ambient air pressure). As the aircraft moves through the air, the pressure difference changes, which is translated into an airspeed reading on the indicator. The indicator is calibrated to display the indicated airspeed, which may differ from the true airspeed due to factors like altitude and instrument errors.


What is the limitation of the airspeed indicator?

some V speeds are not indicated, It doesn't show true airspeed or ground speed.


How airspeed indicator works?

the airspeed indicator works by measuring the increase in air pressure caused by the moving aircraft


What 3 instruments work on the pitot static system?

Airspeed indicator, alitimeter, and vertical speed indicator.


When does The pitot system provides impact pressure for which instrument?

Airspeed indicator.


What instruments are affected if the pitot tube freezes over?

airspeed indicator