diff --git a/src/main/CMakeLists.txt b/src/main/CMakeLists.txt
index f4ab6479a5f..67863411d66 100755
--- a/src/main/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/main/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ main_sources(COMMON_SRC
     drivers/dronecan/libcanard/canard_stm32_driver.h
     drivers/dronecan/dronecan.c
     drivers/dronecan/dronecan.h
-     
+
     drivers/display.c
     drivers/display.h
     drivers/display_canvas.c
@@ -233,8 +233,6 @@ main_sources(COMMON_SRC
     drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_dlvr_l10d.h
     drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_msp.c
     drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_msp.h
-    drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_virtual.c
-    drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_virtual.h
     drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_fake.h
     drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_fake.c
     drivers/pwm_esc_detect.c
@@ -288,7 +286,7 @@ main_sources(COMMON_SRC
     drivers/vtx_common.c
     drivers/vtx_common.h
 
-    
+
     fc/cli.c
     fc/cli.h
     fc/config.c
diff --git a/src/main/drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_virtual.c b/src/main/drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_virtual.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 368d663b604..00000000000
--- a/src/main/drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_virtual.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,94 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * This file is part of Cleanflight.
- *
- * Cleanflight is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
- * (at your option) any later version.
- *
- * Cleanflight is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- * GNU General Public License for more details.
- *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
- * along with Cleanflight.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-#include <stdbool.h>
-#include <stdint.h>
-
-#include <platform.h>
-
-#include "build/build_config.h"
-#include "build/debug.h"
-
-#include "common/axis.h"
-
-#include "config/feature.h"
-
-#include "common/maths.h"
-#include "common/utils.h"
-
-#include "fc/config.h"
-
-#include "flight/pid.h"
-#include "flight/wind_estimator.h"
-
-#include "io/gps.h"
-
-#include "navigation/navigation.h"
-
-#include "sensors/pitotmeter.h"
-
-#include "drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter.h"
-#include "drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_virtual.h"
-
-#if defined(USE_WIND_ESTIMATOR) && defined(USE_PITOT_VIRTUAL)
-static bool virtualPitotStart(pitotDev_t *pitot)
-{
-    UNUSED(pitot);
-    return true;
-}
-
-static bool virtualPitotRead(pitotDev_t *pitot)
-{
-    UNUSED(pitot);
-    return true;
-}
-
-static void virtualPitotCalculate(pitotDev_t *pitot, float *pressure, float *temperature)
-{
-    UNUSED(pitot);
-    float airSpeed = 0.0f;
-
-    if (pitotIsCalibrationComplete()) {
-#if defined(USE_GPS)
-        if (isEstimatedWindSpeedValid() && STATE(GPS_FIX)) {
-            airSpeed = getWindEstimatedVirtualAirspeed();
-        }
-        else if (STATE(GPS_FIX))
-        {
-            airSpeed = calc_length_pythagorean_3D(gpsSol.velNED[X], gpsSol.velNED[Y], gpsSol.velNED[Z]);
-        }
-        else
-#endif
-        {
-            airSpeed = pidProfile()->fixedWingReferenceAirspeed; //float cm/s
-        }
-    }
-
-    if (pressure) *pressure = sq(airSpeed) * SSL_AIR_DENSITY / 20000.0f + SSL_AIR_PRESSURE;
-    if (temperature) *temperature = SSL_AIR_TEMPERATURE; // Temperature at standard sea level
-}
-
-bool virtualPitotDetect(pitotDev_t *pitot)
-{
-    pitot->delay = 10000;
-    pitot->calibThreshold = 0.00001f;
-    pitot->start = virtualPitotStart;
-    pitot->get = virtualPitotRead;
-    pitot->calculate = virtualPitotCalculate;
-    return feature(FEATURE_GPS);
-}
-#endif
diff --git a/src/main/drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_virtual.h b/src/main/drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_virtual.h
deleted file mode 100644
index f59162dd028..00000000000
--- a/src/main/drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_virtual.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * This file is part of Cleanflight.
- *
- * Cleanflight is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
- * (at your option) any later version.
- *
- * Cleanflight is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- * GNU General Public License for more details.
- *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
- * along with Cleanflight.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-#pragma once
-
-bool virtualPitotDetect(pitotDev_t *pitot);
diff --git a/src/main/fc/fc_init.c b/src/main/fc/fc_init.c
index 108e48e2012..df8fe56d9fb 100644
--- a/src/main/fc/fc_init.c
+++ b/src/main/fc/fc_init.c
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ void init(void)
 #endif
 
 #ifdef USE_PITOT
-    pitotStartCalibration();
+    if (detectedSensors[SENSOR_INDEX_PITOT] != PITOT_VIRTUAL) pitotStartCalibration();
 #endif
 
 #if defined(USE_VTX_CONTROL)
diff --git a/src/main/navigation/navigation_fixedwing.c b/src/main/navigation/navigation_fixedwing.c
index 1db29a37330..a49806c3cb0 100755
--- a/src/main/navigation/navigation_fixedwing.c
+++ b/src/main/navigation/navigation_fixedwing.c
@@ -924,7 +924,7 @@ void applyAutoSpeedThrottleDemand(int16_t *throttleCommand, timeUs_t currentTime
         uint16_t groundSpeedBoost = 0;
 
 #ifdef USE_PITOT
-        if (pitotValidateAirspeed()) {
+        if (pitotGetValidForAirspeed()) {
             static bool airspeedBoost = false;
             // Pitot available and airspeed source selected or low airspeed boost applied when using ground speed source
             if (!LOGIC_CONDITION_GLOBAL_FLAG(LOGIC_CONDITION_GLOBAL_FLAG_DISABLE_AUTOSPEED_AIRSPEED) || airspeedBoost) {
diff --git a/src/main/sensors/pitotmeter.c b/src/main/sensors/pitotmeter.c
index cf785827f04..ecab2efdc18 100755
--- a/src/main/sensors/pitotmeter.c
+++ b/src/main/sensors/pitotmeter.c
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@
 #include "drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_dlvr_l10d.h"
 #include "drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_adc.h"
 #include "drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_msp.h"
-#include "drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_virtual.h"
 #include "drivers/pitotmeter/pitotmeter_fake.h"
 #include "drivers/time.h"
 
@@ -43,10 +42,12 @@
 #include "fc/runtime_config.h"
 #include "fc/settings.h"
 
+#include "flight/imu.h"
+#include "flight/pid.h"
+
 #include "scheduler/protothreads.h"
 
 #include "sensors/barometer.h"
-#include "flight/imu.h"
 #include "sensors/pitotmeter.h"
 #include "sensors/sensors.h"
 
@@ -75,8 +76,7 @@ static bool pitotAirspeedValidCached = false;
 #define PITOT_FAILURE_THRESHOLD 10   // 0.2 seconds at 50Hz - fast detection per LOG00002 analysis
 #define PITOT_RECOVERY_THRESHOLD 100 // 2 seconds of consecutive good readings to recover
 
-// Forward declaration for GPS-based airspeed fallback
-static float getVirtualAirspeedEstimate(void);
+static bool isPitotAirspeedValid(void);
 
 PG_REGISTER_WITH_RESET_TEMPLATE(pitotmeterConfig_t, pitotmeterConfig, PG_PITOTMETER_CONFIG, 2);
 
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ bool pitotDetect(pitotDev_t *dev, uint8_t pitotHardwareToUse)
         case PITOT_VIRTUAL:
             if (pitotHardwareToUse != PITOT_AUTODETECT) {
 #if defined(USE_WIND_ESTIMATOR) && defined(USE_PITOT_VIRTUAL)
-                if (virtualPitotDetect(dev)) {
+                if (STATE(AIRPLANE) && feature(FEATURE_GPS)) {
                     pitotHardware = PITOT_VIRTUAL;
                     break;
                 }
@@ -207,14 +207,16 @@ bool pitotDetect(pitotDev_t *dev, uint8_t pitotHardwareToUse)
 
 bool pitotInit(void)
 {
-    if (!pitotDetect(&pitot.dev, pitotmeterConfig()->pitot_hardware)) {
-        return false;
-    }
+    if (!pitotDetect(&pitot.dev, pitotmeterConfig()->pitot_hardware)) return false;
+
     return true;
 }
 
 bool pitotIsCalibrationComplete(void)
 {
+#if defined(USE_WIND_ESTIMATOR) && defined(USE_PITOT_VIRTUAL)
+    if (detectedSensors[SENSOR_INDEX_PITOT] == PITOT_VIRTUAL) return true;
+#endif
     return zeroCalibrationIsCompleteS(&pitot.zeroCalibration) && zeroCalibrationIsSuccessfulS(&pitot.zeroCalibration);
 }
 
@@ -233,7 +235,6 @@ static void performPitotCalibrationCycle(void)
     }
 }
 
-
 STATIC_PROTOTHREAD(pitotThread)
 {
     ptBegin(pitotThread);
@@ -275,18 +276,19 @@ STATIC_PROTOTHREAD(pitotThread)
 
         pitot.dev.calculate(&pitot.dev, &pitotPressureTmp, &pitotTemperatureTmp);
 
-#ifdef USE_SIMULATOR
-        if (SIMULATOR_HAS_OPTION(HITL_AIRSPEED)) {
-            pitotPressureTmp = sq(simulatorData.airSpeed) * SSL_AIR_DENSITY / 20000.0f + SSL_AIR_PRESSURE;
-        }
-#endif
+        bool usePressureCalculation = true;
 #if defined(USE_PITOT_FAKE)
         if (pitotmeterConfig()->pitot_hardware == PITOT_FAKE) {
-            pitotPressureTmp = sq(fakePitotGetAirspeed()) * SSL_AIR_DENSITY / 20000.0f + SSL_AIR_PRESSURE;
+            pitot.airSpeed = fakePitotGetAirspeed();
+            usePressureCalculation = false;
+        }
+#endif
+#ifdef USE_SIMULATOR
+        if (SIMULATOR_HAS_OPTION(HITL_AIRSPEED)) {
+            pitot.airSpeed = simulatorData.airSpeed;
+            usePressureCalculation = false;
         }
 #endif
-        pitotAirspeedValidCached = pitotValidateAirspeed();
-        ptYield();
 
         // Calculate IAS
         if (pitotIsCalibrationComplete()) {
@@ -302,63 +304,30 @@ STATIC_PROTOTHREAD(pitotThread)
 
             // NOTE ::filter pressure - apply filter when NOT calibrating for zero !!!
             currentTimeUs = micros();
+            if (usePressureCalculation) {
+                if (pitotmeterConfig()->pitot_lpf_milli_hz) {
+                    pitot.pressure = pt1FilterApply3(&pitot.lpfState, pitotPressureTmp, US2S(currentTimeUs - pitot.lastMeasurementUs));
+                } else {
+                    pitot.pressure = pitotPressureTmp;
+                }
 
-            if (pitotmeterConfig()->pitot_lpf_milli_hz) {
-                pitot.pressure = pt1FilterApply3(&pitot.lpfState, pitotPressureTmp, US2S(currentTimeUs - pitot.lastMeasurementUs));
-            } else {
-                pitot.pressure = pitotPressureTmp;
+                pitot.airSpeed = pitotmeterConfig()->pitot_scale * fast_fsqrtf(2.0f * fabsf(pitot.pressure - pitot.pressureZero) / SSL_AIR_DENSITY) * 100;  // cm/s
+                pitot.temperature = pitotTemperatureTmp;   // Kelvin
             }
             pitot.lastMeasurementUs = currentTimeUs;
-
-            pitot.airSpeed = pitotmeterConfig()->pitot_scale * fast_fsqrtf(2.0f * fabsf(pitot.pressure - pitot.pressureZero) / SSL_AIR_DENSITY) * 100;  // cm/s
-            pitot.temperature = pitotTemperatureTmp;   // Kelvin
-
         } else {
             pitot.pressure = pitotPressureTmp;
             performPitotCalibrationCycle();
             pitot.airSpeed = 0.0f;
         }
 
-#if defined(USE_PITOT_FAKE)
-        if (pitotmeterConfig()->pitot_hardware == PITOT_FAKE) {
-            pitot.airSpeed = fakePitotGetAirspeed();
-        }
-#endif
-#ifdef USE_SIMULATOR
-        if (SIMULATOR_HAS_OPTION(HITL_AIRSPEED)) {
-            pitot.airSpeed = simulatorData.airSpeed;
-        }
-#endif
-    }
-
-    ptEnd(0);
-}
+        // Check pitot airspeed validity and cache result for use by external functions
+        pitotAirspeedValidCached = isPitotAirspeedValid();
 
-void pitotUpdate(void)
-{
-    pitotThread();
-}
-
-/*
- * Airspeed estimate in cm/s
- * Returns hardware pitot if valid, GPS-based virtual airspeed if pitot failed,
- * or raw pitot value as last resort
- */
-float getAirspeedEstimate(void)
-{
-    // If hardware pitot has failed validation, use GPS-based virtual airspeed
-    if (pitotHardwareFailed) {
-        float virtualAirspeed = getVirtualAirspeedEstimate();
-        if (virtualAirspeed > 0.0f) {
-            return virtualAirspeed;
-        }
+        ptYield();
     }
-    return pitot.airSpeed;
-}
 
-bool pitotIsHealthy(void)
-{
-    return (millis() - pitot.lastSeenHealthyMs) < PITOT_HARDWARE_TIMEOUT_MS;
+    ptEnd(0);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -369,8 +338,9 @@ bool pitotIsHealthy(void)
  *
  * @return virtual airspeed in cm/s, or 0 if GPS unavailable
  */
+
 #if defined(USE_GPS) && defined(USE_WIND_ESTIMATOR)
-float getWindEstimatedVirtualAirspeed(void)
+static float getWindEstimatedVirtualAirspeed(void)
 {
     static float virtualAirspeed = 0.0f;
     static timeMs_t lastUpdateTimeMs = 0;
@@ -397,31 +367,55 @@ float getWindEstimatedVirtualAirspeed(void)
 #endif
 static float getVirtualAirspeedEstimate(void)
 {
-#if defined(USE_GPS) && defined(USE_WIND_ESTIMATOR)
-    if (!STATE(GPS_FIX)) {
-        return 0.0f;
+    pitot.lastSeenHealthyMs = millis();
+#if defined(USE_GPS)
+    if (STATE(GPS_FIX)) {
+#if defined(USE_WIND_ESTIMATOR)
+        if (isEstimatedWindSpeedValid()) {
+            return getWindEstimatedVirtualAirspeed();
+        } else
+#endif
+        {
+            return posControl.actualState.vel3D;
+        }
     }
+#endif
+    return pidProfile()->fixedWingReferenceAirspeed; //float cm/s
+}
 
-    float airSpeed = 0.0f;
-
-    // Use wind estimator if available (matches virtual pitot logic)
-    if (isEstimatedWindSpeedValid()) {
-        airSpeed = getWindEstimatedVirtualAirspeed();
-    } else {
-        // Fall back to raw GPS velocity if no wind estimator
-        airSpeed = calc_length_pythagorean_3D(gpsSol.velNED[X], gpsSol.velNED[Y], gpsSol.velNED[Z]);
+void pitotUpdate(void)
+{
+#if defined(USE_WIND_ESTIMATOR) && defined(USE_PITOT_VIRTUAL)
+    if (detectedSensors[SENSOR_INDEX_PITOT] == PITOT_VIRTUAL) {
+        pitot.airSpeed = getVirtualAirspeedEstimate();
+        pitotAirspeedValidCached = isPitotAirspeedValid();
+        return;
     }
+#endif
+    pitotThread();
+}
 
-    return airSpeed;
-#elif defined(USE_GPS)
-    // No wind estimator, use raw GPS velocity
-    if (!STATE(GPS_FIX)) {
-        return 0.0f;
+/*
+ * Airspeed estimate in cm/s
+ * Returns hardware pitot if valid, GPS-based virtual airspeed if pitot failed,
+ * or raw pitot value as last resort
+ */
+float getAirspeedEstimate(void)
+{
+    // If hardware pitot has failed validation, use GPS-based virtual airspeed
+    if (pitotHardwareFailed) {
+        float virtualAirspeed = getVirtualAirspeedEstimate();
+        if (virtualAirspeed > 0.0f) {
+            return virtualAirspeed;
+        }
     }
-    return calc_length_pythagorean_3D(gpsSol.velNED[X], gpsSol.velNED[Y], gpsSol.velNED[Z]);
-#else
-    return 0.0f;
-#endif
+
+    return pitot.airSpeed;
+}
+
+bool pitotIsHealthy(void)
+{
+    return (millis() - pitot.lastSeenHealthyMs) < PITOT_HARDWARE_TIMEOUT_MS;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -441,31 +435,22 @@ static float getVirtualAirspeedEstimate(void)
 static bool isPitotReadingPlausible(void)
 {
 #ifdef USE_GPS
-    if (!STATE(GPS_FIX)) {
-        return true;
-    }
-
-    const float virtualAirspeedCmS = getVirtualAirspeedEstimate();
-    const float minValidationSpeed = 700.0f;  // 7 m/s
-
-    if (virtualAirspeedCmS < minValidationSpeed) {
-        return true;
-    }
+    if (STATE(GPS_FIX)) {
+        const float virtualAirspeedCmS = getVirtualAirspeedEstimate();
+        const float minValidationSpeed = 700.0f;  // 7 m/s
 
-    const float pitotAirspeedCmS = pitot.airSpeed;
+        if (virtualAirspeedCmS > minValidationSpeed) {
+            // Wide thresholds to catch gross failures (blocked pitot) only
+            const float minPlausibleAirspeed = virtualAirspeedCmS * 0.3f;  // 30% of virtual
+            const float maxPlausibleAirspeed = virtualAirspeedCmS * 2.0f;  // 200% of virtual
 
-    // Wide thresholds to catch gross failures (blocked pitot) only
-    const float minPlausibleAirspeed = virtualAirspeedCmS * 0.3f;  // 30% of virtual
-    const float maxPlausibleAirspeed = virtualAirspeedCmS * 2.0f;  // 200% of virtual
-
-    if (pitotAirspeedCmS < minPlausibleAirspeed || pitotAirspeedCmS > maxPlausibleAirspeed) {
-        return false;
+            if (pitot.airSpeed < minPlausibleAirspeed || pitot.airSpeed > maxPlausibleAirspeed) {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
     }
-
-    return true;
-#else
-    return true;
 #endif
+    return true;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -478,21 +463,19 @@ bool pitotHasFailed(void)
     return pitotHardwareFailed;
 }
 
-bool pitotValidateAirspeed(void)
+static bool isPitotAirspeedValid(void)
 {
     bool ret = false;
     ret = pitotIsHealthy() && pitotIsCalibrationComplete();
-
-    // For virtual pitot, we need GPS fix
+#if defined(USE_WIND_ESTIMATOR) && defined(USE_PITOT_VIRTUAL)
+    // For virtual pitot, we need GPS fix and valid wind estimate
     if (detectedSensors[SENSOR_INDEX_PITOT] == PITOT_VIRTUAL) {
-        ret = ret && STATE(GPS_FIX) && isEstimatedWindSpeedValid();
+        return ret && STATE(GPS_FIX) && isEstimatedWindSpeedValid();
     }
-
+#endif
     // For hardware pitot sensors, validate readings against GPS when armed
     // This detects blocked or failed pitot tubes
-    if (ret && detectedSensors[SENSOR_INDEX_PITOT] != PITOT_VIRTUAL &&
-        detectedSensors[SENSOR_INDEX_PITOT] != PITOT_NONE) {
-
+    if (ret && detectedSensors[SENSOR_INDEX_PITOT] != PITOT_VIRTUAL && detectedSensors[SENSOR_INDEX_PITOT] != PITOT_NONE) {
         if (ARMING_FLAG(ARMED)) {
             // Check if pitot reading is plausible
             if (!isPitotReadingPlausible()) {
diff --git a/src/main/sensors/pitotmeter.h b/src/main/sensors/pitotmeter.h
index 94b15d29164..21a823329c1 100755
--- a/src/main/sensors/pitotmeter.h
+++ b/src/main/sensors/pitotmeter.h
@@ -70,9 +70,7 @@ void pitotStartCalibration(void);
 void pitotUpdate(void);
 float getAirspeedEstimate(void);
 bool pitotIsHealthy(void);
-bool pitotValidateAirspeed(void);
 bool pitotGetValidForAirspeed(void);
 bool pitotHasFailed(void);
-float getWindEstimatedVirtualAirspeed(void);
 
 #endif