An insert is provided for attachment to the inlet or nose of a pitot tube to withstand the wear and damage imposed on the inlet of the pitot tube by high velocity and high pressure fluid moving through the rotary casing and into the pitot tube. The insert reduces the amount of damage normally done to the pitot tube under normal operating conditions thereby extending the life of the pitot tube. When worn or damaged, only the insert needs to be replaced rather than the entire pitot tube as is done in conventional systems. The insert permits the machining of the insert to meet the specifications of a particular application, thereby providing the ability to control pump performance over a wider range of operational conditions.