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A Pitot tube is needed to measure the speed of the air flowing past the airplane (airspeed), and so lets the pilot(s) know how fast the airplane is moving relative to the air (as opposed to the ground), which is extremely important in determining if the airplane is in safe conditions or if it is dangerously close to, e.g., a stall or overspeed.
A Pitot tube actually sticks out from the fuselage and is oriented into the air flowing past the plane (whichever direction is the usual in flight), so the actual long part of the tube is parallel to length of the airplane. Look it up on wikipedia, and then look at pictures on airliners.net for nose closeups and you will see that there are actually a bunch of things sticking out near the nose of an airplane.
In more technical terms, a pitot tube is a mechanical device that compares dynamic and static air pressure to give a measurement (in the simplest ones much like that of a manometer) which is then calibrated for Indicated Airspeed (IAS) to be displayed in the cockpit on a airspeed indicator (for older 'steam gauge' cockpits) or a Primary Flight Display or similar (for a modern 'glass cockpit').
Dynamic pressure is basically the pressure of the air while flowing, which is why the pitot tube is along the direction of the airflow - the opening of the tube gets the full force of the air.
The type of pitot tube described above includes both pressure measurements, so maybe it should be called a Pitot-static tube. On larger aircraft, the two measurements are separated into a pitot tube (for dynamic pressure) and a static port (for static pressure, it looks a lot like a flat disk on the side of airplane flush with the fuselage), and then the two are tied together in a Pitot-static system.
Btw it's pronounced more like your spelling: Pit-O, it's named after a French engineer.
What else can I help you with?
When did Alfredo Pitto die?
Alfredo Pitto died on 1976-10-16.
When was Alfredo Pitto born?
Alfredo Pitto was born on 1906-05-25.
What has the author Cesare Pitto written?
Cesare Pitto has written: 'Mutamento sociale e territorio'
How can I make a paper tube airplane?
To make a paper tube airplane, you will need a paper tube, paper for wings, a propeller, and glue. Cut the paper tube to the desired length for the body of the airplane. Attach the paper wings to the tube, and add a propeller to the front. Decorate as desired.
Can I carry a poster tube on an airplane?
Yes, you can carry a poster tube on an airplane as a carry-on item as long as it fits within the airline's size restrictions for carry-on luggage.
Can I bring a tube of toothpaste on an airplane"?
Yes, you can bring a tube of toothpaste on an airplane as long as it is in a container that is 3.4 ounces or less and is placed in a clear, quart-sized plastic bag for security screening.
Can I bring a tube of toothpaste on the airplane?
Yes, you can bring a tube of toothpaste on the airplane as long as it is in a container that is 3.4 ounces or less and is placed in a clear, quart-sized plastic bag for security screening.
Can you bring a tube of toothpaste on an airplane?
Yes, you can bring a tube of toothpaste on an airplane as long as it is in a container that is 3.4 ounces or less and is placed in a clear, quart-sized plastic bag for security screening.
Can you bring a full tube of toothpaste on an airplane?
Yes, you can bring a full tube of toothpaste on an airplane as long as it is in a container that is 3.4 ounces or less and fits in a quart-sized plastic bag for security screening.
Where is the fuselage of an airplane located?
The fuselage of an airplane is the body of the airplane so it would be the main part of the plane and holds everything together. It is in a long tube shape so it can be aerodynamic.
How did Amelia Earhart pee while in her airplane?
She'd had five hours of sleep a night
Why while flying in an airplane you find your pilot pen start leaking?
Air pressure is forcing the ink out of the tube.
