Which sensors contribute to the aircraft's air data system?

The air data system of an aircraft relies primarily on the measurements provided by pitot tubes and static ports. These components work together to gather essential data about the aircraft's speed, altitude, and air pressure.

Pitot tubes measure dynamic pressure, which is critical for calculating true airspeed. They work by capturing the airflow as the aircraft moves through the air. On the other hand, static ports measure the ambient atmospheric pressure outside the aircraft, which is necessary for determining altitude and vertical speed. By combining the information from both sensors, the air data system can provide accurate readings that are essential for safe flight operation and performance monitoring.

While temperature sensors, GPS receivers, and magnetometers also play important roles in various aircraft systems, they do not specifically contribute to the air data system in the same way that pitot tubes and static ports do. Temperature sensors may be used for calculating true air temperature, which can be important for performance calculations, but they are not direct components of the air data system itself. Thus, the combination of pitot tubes and static ports is foundational for air data measurement in aviation systems.