Plain English Meaning

A small cover that goes over the front of the pitot tube on the ground to keep bugs and dirt out. It must be taken off before flying.

Full Definition

A protective cap or sleeve fitted over the open end of an aircraft's pitot tube while the aircraft is parked, used to prevent insects, dirt, water, and debris from entering and blocking the tube. It is removed during preflight inspection before flight.

Context Anchor

Seen during preflight inspection, especially when checking the pitot-static system for possible blockage.

Derivation

Named after the pitot tube it protects. 'Pitot' comes from Henri Pitot, the 18th-century French engineer who invented the tube used to measure fluid speed. The cover is simply the protective for that tube.