Calibrate Your Airspeed Indicator

Craffenjaos -Corner
Edited by Chuck Larsen, Designee Director
CALIBRATE YOUR AIRSPEED INDICATOR

by Robert (Bob) Leonard, EAA 16396
12001 Beaumont
Wichita, KS 67209
An air pump or source of air pressure is not necessary

to calibrate an airspeed indicator. Simply connect a piece
of plastic tubing to the pitot port (labeled "P") on the
airspeed indicator and remove the tape or plug from the
static port (labeled "S"). Fasten a dime store plastic ruler
to the other end of the plastic tubing as shown in Figure 1.
Insure that the connections do not leak!
Place the ruler and end of the plastic tubing vertically
in a jar of water, family fish aquarium, swimming pool
or whatever container you have that you can see through
so that the air column trapped in the tube can be measured.
NOTE: It is important to be able to sight perpendicular to the ruler at the top of the water
column to obtain as accurate a reading as
possible.
For a 0-140 MPH indicator, the container must be able

to hold at least a 10 inch, vertical column of water. For
One more point worthy of mention before starting the

actual calibration; all airspeed indicators have internal
friction which must be overcome before the needle will
move smoothly. In powered aircraft, the airframe vibration caused by the engine does the job. In sailplanes,
the "sticking needle" is sometimes overcome by attaching
a small electric motor to the instrument panel with an
eccentric weight attached so the motor vibrates the panel
when the motor runs. After a discussion with Fred the
Fish, about the feasibility of bolting an A-65 to his
aquarium to provide a vibration for this test, it was
mutually agreed that a few taps on the indicator, just
before taking a reading, was a more practical solution.
Now, we are ready to calibrate! Push the ruler and
the tube vertically into the water until the airspeed
indicator comes up to the lowest desired reading. Tap the
indicator - then read the indicated speed. Record the
indicated speed and the length of the air column in the
tube. You will notice the top of the water column in the
tube is convex. The correct point to record is at the high
point or center of the water column in the tube.
NOTE: The accuracy of the calibration is equal to
the accuracy of your readings. A good way
to record the data is to: (1) record the
dimension on the ruler at the surface of the
water (column "A" in the example, Figure
1); (2) record the dimension on the ruler at
the top of the column of water (column "B"
in the example); and (3) record the indicated speed (column "Y" in the example).
Repeat this procedure in ABOUT 5 MPH increments
up to the top of the airspeed scale and then back down
again in similar increments to the starting point. It is
not necessary to stop at exactly the same point coming
a 0-250 MPH indicator, the container must be able to
down that was recorded on the way up. When taking the
hold at least a 33 inch, vertical volumn of water.
readings, the indicator should be placed in the same

attitude as it will be installed in the aircraft.
You now have three columns of numbers, a wet ruler
and Fred Fish is mad! Well, Fred and the ruler will get
over it - but you aren't done with the numbers yet. Subtract the "water column" dimension (column "B" in the
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FIGURE 1
Notice as the tubing and ruler are pushed further
under the water, the airspeed indicator reading increases.

Very simply, the distance from the surface of the water
to the top of the column of water in the tube (shown as
"C" in Figure 1) is proportional to the calibrated (actual)
airspeed.
The centimeter scale (marked MM on my ruler) is used
because it can be read a little more accurately than a
example) from the "water surface" dimension (column
"A" in the example) and record in column "C". Almost
fractions of an inch scale. If you get confused as to whether
as bad as an IRS Form 1040, isn't it? Now, refer to Figure

2. Take your column "C" of numbers and convert them
you are reading millimeters or centimeters, just remember

that 2.54 centimeters equal one inch.
to calibrated airspeed numbers. Enter these calibrated

airspeed numbers in column "X" of the example.
38 SEPTEMBER 1982
W A T E R P R E S S U R E V AIRSPEED CHART
0)
Ul
UJ
80
90
1DO
110
\in
1)0
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220
2JO
240
2iO
CALIBRATED (Actual) SPEED - MILES PER HOUR

FIGURE 2
Grab a piece of graph paper (recommend using 10

squares to the inch paper; not 8 squares). Plot the X and
speed" curve. If this happens, it is a result

of not tapping the indicator before each
reading and trying to calibrate an indicator
which has too much hysteresis. If you have
ever heard tales of "flying on the step" you
can bet it was done using an airspeed
indicator with too must hysteresis.
Recommend not using the just calibrated
airspeed indicator if the hysteresis exceeds
Y coordinates on the paper using the X and Y columns

of data.
Connect the plot points together in a smooth curved
line - and Presto! - and now have your own Airspeed
Calibration Chart showing indicated airspeed vs.
calibrated speed.
NOTE: When plotting the X and Y coordinates, it
is possible to end up with an "increasing
speed" calibration curve and a "decreasing
CHECKING THE AIRSPEED

INDICATOR IN YOUR AIRCRAFT
from a 1976 edition of the Omaha, Nebraska
Chapter 80 Newsletter
Materials: Ten feet of clear plastic tube (inside

diameter to fit outside diameter of pilot
tube).
One dropper. One measure (inches or
centimeters). One stick or board.
Water.
Bend the plastic tube to form a skinny "U" about 3
feet long and attach this to the stick or board. Fill
bottom 4" of tube with water. Attach one end to pilot
on airplane (water should be the same height in both sides
of the "U"). Slide one end of the tubing onto the aircraft pilot tube.
2 MPH in the range you expect to operate

in.
Add water, one drop at a time, to the other end of the

tube until your airspeed indicator reads 60 mph (52 kph)
tapping the lube to make sure all the water gets down.
Then measure the difference in Ihe heights of water and

record your reading. Repeat with airspeed indicator reading 10 mph higher each lime. Readings should be close
to Ihose in Ihe lable below. CAUTION: DO NOT ALLOW
WATER TO ENTER PITOT TUBE.
Next check for system leak by checking for reading
changes after five minutes at the highest pressure. There
should be no change.
MPH
60
70
80
90
100
110
KPH cnrt420 UrtttO

52
4.5
1 13/16
61
2 1/16
6.2
69t
8.0 3 1/8
78
10.0 3 15/16
87
12.5
4 15/16
95
5 7/8
15.0
MPH KPH
120 104
130
140
160
180
200
113
12H
139
156*
174
I(VH20
18.0
21.3
24.5
32.5
41.5
51.0
7 L'16
8 3/8
9 5/8
12 13/16
16 5/16
20 1/16
SPORT AVIATION 39

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Craffenjaos -Corner

Edited by Chuck Larsen, Designee Director

CALIBRATE YOUR AIRSPEED INDICATOR

An air pump or source of air pressure is not necessary

For a 0-140 MPH indicator, the container must be able

One more point worthy of mention before starting the

a 0-250 MPH indicator, the container must be able to

hold at least a 33 inch, vertical volumn of water.

readings, the indicator should be placed in the same

Notice as the tubing and ruler are pushed further

under the water, the airspeed indicator reading increases.

example) from the "water surface" dimension (column

"A" in the example) and record in column "C". Almost

fractions of an inch scale. If you get confused as to whether

as bad as an IRS Form 1040, isn't it? Now, refer to Figure

you are reading millimeters or centimeters, just remember

to calibrated airspeed numbers. Enter these calibrated

CALIBRATED (Actual) SPEED - MILES PER HOUR

Grab a piece of graph paper (recommend using 10

speed" curve. If this happens, it is a result

Y coordinates on the paper using the X and Y columns

CHECKING THE AIRSPEED

Materials: Ten feet of clear plastic tube (inside

2 MPH in the range you expect to operate

Add water, one drop at a time, to the other end of the

Then measure the difference in Ihe heights of water and

KPH cnrt420 UrtttO

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