Wind tunnel data is only as good as its calibration. Skip a step, and you might as well guess—especially for high-stakes tests (e.g., aerospace or automotive safety). Here’s how to follow standards that actually matter, without getting lost in red tape.

Key standards to know:

· ISO 1217: Governs wind tunnel performance—requires calibrating the tunnel itself (e.g., verifying flow uniformity) every 6–12 months.

· ISO 17025: For sensor/probe calibration—ensures your pressure transducers and thermocouples are traceable to national standards (e.g., NIST).

· ASME PTC 19.3: Focuses on instrumentation—mandatory for U.S. aerospace and power industry tests.

Calibration steps for equipment:

1. Probes: Use a calibration rig to check pressure/angle accuracy. For 5-hole probes, test yaw/pitch angles from -45° to +45°.

2. Pressure scanners: Compare readings to a deadweight tester (traceable to NIST) at 0%, 50%, and 100% of full scale.

3. Thermocouples: Immerse in a calibration bath (e.g., 0°C ice water, 100°C boiling water) to check temperature accuracy.

Documentation is non-negotiable:
Log every calibration with:

· Date, technician, and equipment ID.

· Before/after readings and adjustments made.

· Certificate from the standard used (e.g., “Calibrated against NIST-traceable deadweight tester #12345”).

Pro tip: Schedule calibrations during tunnel downtime (e.g., between test campaigns). Rushing leads to mistakes.

Need help auditing your calibration records? Share a sample log, and we’ll check if it meets ISO/ASME requirements.