Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Flight Deck Forums > Tech Log
Reload this Page >

IAS, CAS or EAS on the PFD

Wikiposts
Search
Tech Log The very best in practical technical discussion on the web

IAS, CAS or EAS on the PFD

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12th Aug 2010, 17:36
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Tropics
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
IAS, CAS or EAS on the PFD

Hi everyone,

I remember reading a thread regarding this before some time ago but I just can't seem to find it now matter how I tried to search for it.

Anyway my question is, does the PFD on our modern jets today display IAS, CAS or EAS? Most people told me that it should be IAS or CAS but not EAS. Correct me if I am wrong, I understand that CAS is IAS corrected for position and instrument errors, and EAS is CAS corrected for compressibility error. Our Vspeeds are in CAS.

Which leads me to the question, say for example, our aircraft has a stalling speed of 200kts. Suppose we're flying at FL350 and should the PFD display IAS/CAS and is reading 220kts (for example), the error due to compressibility is not corrected for and EAS is actually 200kts. Wouldn't this be a danger as the pilot would think that he's 20kts away from stalling the airplane without knowing that he's closer to the stall than he actually thinks?

Many thanks for any inputs!
dream747 is offline  
Old 12th Aug 2010, 17:53
  #2 (permalink)  
PBL
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Bielefeld, Germany
Posts: 955
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dream747
......does the PFD on our modern jets today display IAS, CAS or EAS? ....... I understand that CAS is IAS corrected for position and instrument errors, and EAS is CAS corrected for compressibility error.
Your airspeed indicator displays IAS by definition. The sensors don't sit in the pure freestream. The CAS is what they would display if they did. Modern kit corrects for the difference in the air data computation system before display, so often IAS=CAS.

EAS is not anything corrected for compressibility error. Say the dynamic pressure is Q_actual. EAS is the velocity your aircraft would have if it were to experience Q_actual at sea level.

PBL
PBL is offline  
Old 12th Aug 2010, 19:47
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: France - mostly
Age: 84
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Operational speeds

Originally Posted by dream747
Which leads me to the question, say for example, our aircraft has a stalling speed of 200kts. Suppose we're flying at FL350 and should the PFD display IAS/CAS and is reading 220kts (for example), the error due to compressibility is not corrected for and EAS is actually 200kts. Wouldn't this be a danger as the pilot would think that he's 20kts away from stalling the airplane without knowing that he's closer to the stall than he actually thinks?
The pilot normally doesn't have to consider the "stalling speed". He operates on the basis of minimum speeds recommended for operation such as V1; VR; V2; VREF; VFTO; VLS. These speeds provide a safe margin above the stall speed and are given to him in CAS for electronic displays driven by an Air Data Computer which corrects for errors in the pressure sensing system, or IAS for pneumatic indicators.

The stall speed at FL350 differs considerably from that at sealevel due to Mach effects other than CAS/EAS difference, see discussion on other threads.

regards,
HN39
EDIT:: Quote from FAR/JAR 25.103(a): The reference stall speed VSR is a calibrated airspeed ...

Last edited by HazelNuts39; 13th Aug 2010 at 13:17. Reason: FAR/JAR quote
HazelNuts39 is offline  
Old 12th Aug 2010, 21:49
  #4 (permalink)  
Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: various places .....
Posts: 7,187
Received 97 Likes on 65 Posts
The pilot normally doesn't have to consider the "stalling speed".

Yet, in abnormal situations, the pilot might well find him/herself there anyway. Best he/she has some knowledge about the situation and, more particularly, how best to get away from there .. without undue embarrassment.
john_tullamarine is offline  
Old 13th Aug 2010, 16:13
  #5 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Tropics
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks guys for the responses!
dream747 is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.