Bifalgorithm post

At 40,000 feet, temperatures can drop below minus 50 degrees Celsius. So why does not an aircraft's airspeed sensor freeze? The answer is a small but essential system called 'Petote Heat'. The Petote tube measures the pressure of the air entering the probe. This pressure is sent to the aircraft's air data system to calculate airspeed. In freezing conditions, ice can block the pitote tube. If this happens, the aircraft may receive incorrect airspeed information. To prevent this, an electrical heating element inside the pitote tube keeps the probe hot enough to stop ice from forming. As the probe heats up, ice melts away before it can block the air inlet, allowing the sensor to continue operating normally. With the PTO tube clear, accurate air pressure reaches the air data computer, allowing the flight instruments to display the correct airspeed. Pilots monitor the PTO heat system from the cockpit and ensure it is operating whenever icing conditions are present or required by aircraft procedures. Without Pito Heat, a small layer of ice could lead to unreliable airspeed readings. That's why this simple heating system plays such an important role in flight safety.

At 40,000 feet, temperatures can drop below minus 50 degrees Celsius. So why does not an aircraft's airspeed sensor freeze? The answer is a small but essential…