Wind Tunnel Tests of a Pitot-Static Tube Array to Estimate Wind Velocity

Abstract

This paper examines the use of a pitot-static tube array (PSA) to estimate horizontal wind velocity in all directions. This method uses the readings from the PSA as inputs. No flight tests have been done, but this method could potentially be used to estimate wind velocity from small UAVs. To do this, UAV ground speed and attitude must be available as inputs. Wind tunnel data of the PSA was used to create an algorithm that estimates wind velocity even when the wind is not parallel with any of the pitot-static tubes. This paper discuses the wind tunnel data, the algorithm, and the application for small UAVs.