Definition
Electrical heating components built into the pitot tube and certain static system parts to prevent ice from forming and blocking the openings that supply air pressure to the flight instruments.
Plain English
Small electric heaters inside the pitot tube (and sometimes related parts) that warm the metal to keep ice from blocking it in cold or visible moisture conditions.
Context Anchor
Seen in pitot/static system discussions, pitot heat checks, and operations where ice may form on the aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Ice blockage from failed heater elements produces false airspeed indications that can lead to loss of control in instrument conditions.
Intuition Check
Do not think of these as cabin heat parts. In this context, heater elements are small electrical parts that warm air-sensing hardware so ice is less likely to block it.
Example Sentence 1
During the runup, the pilot turned on pitot heat and confirmed the heater elements were drawing current before entering visible moisture.
Example Sentence 2
A preflight check confirmed that the heater elements were working by noting the rise in indicated airspeed after applying pitot heat.