This course focuses on the physics of the atmosphere and its consequences on speed and altitude measurements.
At the end of this course, you will understand precisely the meaning of the speed and altitude indication available to the pilot of an airplane. You will understand the difference between standard and actual atmosphere and be able to perform basic altitude and speed correction computations.
You will understand why jet airliners need to be pressurized, or why a clogged Pitot tube can mislead a pilot.
Although some math equations are used from time to time to justify certain results. This course insists on curve shapes, figures, tables, and you can efficiently follow it while skipping the equation-solving parts if you do not fancy them.
This course is a part of the specialization "Fundamentals of Flight mechanics".
Status: Systems Of Measurement
Systems Of Measurement
Status: Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments
Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments
Intermediate·Course·6 hours
Featured reviews
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 7, 2022
best analysis on standard atmospher and fluid charactristics of aircraft, i am really happy and thankful to coursera for providing such core course and faculty from isae-supareo. really thankful.
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 25, 2023
Nice introduction to the fundamentals of airspeed and altimetry - interesting videos depicting the inner mechanics of the instruments and the interactive performance charts.
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 8, 2022
Excellent explanation, tutorials and materialsThe quizes are not straight forward, they make you think deeplyStrong focus on fundamentals
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 27, 2026
Really helpful, especially if your course is aligned with the aviation industry
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 16, 2024
WELL EXPLAINED IMPORTANT FORMULAES AND ATMOSPHERIC BASICS FOR AIRSPEED CALCULATIONS AND AERONAUTICS.
All reviews
Showing: 20 of 21
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All Stars
Most Helpful
G
Gudisa
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 9, 2022
Excellent explanation, tutorials and materials
The quizes are not straight forward, they make you think deeply
Strong focus on fundamentals
C
Carlos
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 16, 2022
excellent course and excellent profesor, highly didactical
D
David
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 14, 2022
Excellent to improve skills in this interesting area
A
aymen
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 5, 2022
good teacher thank you
C
Caroline
5.0
·Reviewed May 10, 2022
amazing course
A
aidyn
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 10, 2026
«I came to this course looking for knowledge, but I’m leaving with a wealth of confidence and eyes full of spark. It was an incredibly beautiful, deep, and supportive journey. Thank you for this experience!»
A
amit
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 8, 2022
best analysis on standard atmospher and fluid charactristics of aircraft, i am really happy and thankful to coursera for providing such core course and faculty from isae-supareo. really thankful.
L
Leith
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 25, 2023
Nice introduction to the fundamentals of airspeed and altimetry - interesting videos depicting the inner mechanics of the instruments and the interactive performance charts.
E
Emanuele
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 26, 2022
this part of certification is also very interesting, it would be necessary if you want to understand the mechanics of flight well.
V
vinish
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 17, 2024
WELL EXPLAINED IMPORTANT FORMULAES AND ATMOSPHERIC BASICS FOR AIRSPEED CALCULATIONS AND AERONAUTICS.
R
Raphael
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 28, 2026
Really helpful, especially if your course is aligned with the aviation industry
O
odil
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 3, 2023
thank you your course is very great and fantastic
W
WAEL
5.0
·Reviewed May 23, 2025
i gained al a lot of information
S
Sahel
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 28, 2024
informative and well guided.
D
DADIE
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 26, 2024
Excellent cours ! Merci
J
Jotaro
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 11, 2022
ADHD go bonk
A
AMD
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 10, 2024
Amazing
J
josss
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 18, 2026
good
F
Frenchie
4.0
·Reviewed Jun 30, 2022
It wasa great course. Not so easy to follow but with perseverance, it is achievable. I learned so many things and it is a reminder what the humans have accomplished in the past century.
Mr Poquillon demonstarates quite wonderfully the aspects of the anemobarometry.