Question

At supersonic speeds, a normal pitot tube cannot be used for speed measurements.

(a) True

(b) False

I had been asked this question during an interview.

I'm obligated to ask this question of Pressure Measurements topic in chapter Air Data Systems, Altitude and Heading Reference of Avionics

Answer 1

The correct answer is (a) True

To explain: At supersonic speeds, the pressure sensed inside the pitot tube is ideally the pressure after the formation of shock waves inside the tube. Hence the value of stagnation pressure is different from that actually experienced by the aircraft.