Pitot-Static Systems

No matter how much automation we fly behind, no matter how many air-data computers are installed and no matter how simple it is, it’s likely a pitot-static system—pretty much like the one Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic—is what generates airspeed and some other basic flight information aboard the aircraft we fly. These systems are relatively simple, consisting of basic sensors, some plumbing and sensitive instrumentation. The difference in air pressure does all the work.

Key Takeaways:

• Pitot-static systems are fundamental for basic flight information (airspeed, altitude, VSI) and are susceptible to critical failures from blockages in either the pitot tube or static port.
• A blocked pitot tube can cause the airspeed indicator to erroneously show increasing speed with altitude, often leading pilots to dangerously reduce speed and potentially stall the aircraft, as seen in accidents like Northwest 6231 and Air France 447.
• Conversely, a blocked static port leads to the altimeter freezing, the vertical speed indicator showing zero, and the airspeed indicator providing inaccurate readings dependent on altitude.
• Mitigation strategies include activating pitot heat for tube blockages, utilizing an alternate static source for static port issues, and in emergencies, breaking instrument glass; however, thorough pilot knowledge of these systems and their failure modes, alongside routine maintenance, is paramount.

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