What does pitot pressure measure?

Pitot pressure specifically measures airflow dynamic pressure, which is directly related to an aircraft's airspeed. The pitot tube collects the total pressure of the air entering it, which comprises the static pressure plus the dynamic pressure associated with the aircraft's speed through the air. By subtracting static pressure from total pressure, the airspeed can be determined and displayed on the airspeed indicator.

Understanding that pitot pressure is primarily concerned with measuring dynamic pressure is crucial for pilots since airspeed is vital for maintaining control and ensuring safe flight operations. Accurate readings from the pitot tube help pilots to establish the aircraft's speed relative to the air, which is essential for performance calculations, such as takeoff and landing requirements, as well as cruise efficiency. The focus on airspeed is why pitot pressure is synonymous with measuring the speed of the aircraft rather than altitude or vertical speed, which rely on different instruments and principles.