The document discusses the outside air temperature (OAT) probe that is installed on aircraft. The OAT probe is mounted externally, such as under the wing, to accurately measure air temperature without influence from the aircraft interior or engine heat. The location of the probe needs to avoid direct sun and heat sources. OAT data is used to calculate key performance measures and identify icing conditions. The probe transmits temperature data to the aircraft's instruments via two wires.
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The oat probe in aircraft
1. The OAT
Probe in
Aircraft
Just so we are clear, the OAT probe we refer to in this article, is
the Outside Air Temperature (OAT) probe that is installed on an
aircraft.
The OAT probes for aircraft are installed externally of the
aircraft. The OAT probe is not installed inside the fuselage or in
the cabin air scoops; and definitely not inside the cowling. To
receive an accurate air temperature reading, the probe must be
installed such that the tip is outside the aircraft.
2. While fitting the OAT Probe, the
maintenance crew need to be
careful to place the probe away
from any heat source and out of
direct sun light. The best location
therefore, is to place OAT probe
under the aircraft wing but
sufficiently outboard so as to
avoid exhaust heat - the bottom of
the fuselage would be an ideal
location. For single engine aircraft installation, apart from
above precautions, it would be idea to install a sun shield.
Data from the OAT probe is used in a variety of calculations
such as aircraft take-off performance, flight planning, density
altitude, cruise performance, and so forth.
When reading outside air temperature, there are two things to
be kept in mind; one, the Air Temperature Sensor as the
aircraft flies through it. This temperature is always a bit higher
due to kinetic energy is converted to heat at the sensor and
secondly; the Static Air Temperature, or SAT, i.e. the
temperature of the undisturbed air through which the aircraft
will fly. This temperature will always be slightly on the lower
side.
The importance of OAT cannot be stressed enough.
Unfortunately, most pilots tend to ignore it. OAT data is used to
identify potential icing conditions and in determining such
essential parameters as density altitude and true airspeed.
Ideally, the OAT probe should be part of the glass cockpit
package or, part of Advanced Flight Systems EFIS package or
as a stand-alone gauge in a traditional cockpit.
3. Generally, the OAT probe has two wires (unmoulded or
moulded). The power supply wire is usually red. The other wire
is for transmitting the temperature data to the instrument
receiving the information.
Remember that the temperature indicated by the OAT probe is
the RAT i.e. Ram Air Temperature so called because the
oncoming air as it is brought to rest and compresses at the front
of the probe. To derive the actual OAT, we use the formulae SAT
+ (K TAS族 / 7592) = TAT.
TAT is the output from the probe. SAT is figure to be derived (in
Celsius). K is the recovery factor of the probe (usually 0.8 to
0.9). TAS is True Airspeed (TAS) is in knots.
For more information purchase, please visit:
https://www.jpinstruments.com/shop/oat-probe/
JPI Sales:
1-800-345-4574
714-557-3805
FAX: 714-557-9840
sales@jpinstruments.com
JPI Technical Support:
1-800-345-4574
714-557-3805
support@jpinstruments.com
J.P. Instruments Inc:
3185-B Airway Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92626