Question

Which of the following systems use a gimballed pitot tube?

(a) Swiveling pitot tube below rotor

(b) Omni directional pitot tube

(c) Rotating anemometer

(d) Rotating pitot tube

The question was posed to me by my college director while I was bunking the class.

The above asked question is from Helicopter, Optical and Hyper Sonic Air Data topic in section Air Data Systems, Altitude and Heading Reference of Avionics

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) Swiveling pitot tube below rotor

To explain: In the swiveling pitot tube below rotor system, a gimballed pitot tube containing vane arrangement that causes the tube to align with the airflow within the downwash field emanating from the rotor blades is used. Changes in the airflow field vector are correlated with changes in true airspeed.