A blockage in the pitot-static system leads to unreliable airspeeds and/or altitude, and possible accidents. In fact, they might increase with electronic cockpits.
This oversimplified diagram of a typical pitot-static system shows the routing of pitot and static lines.
With “steam gauge” round dials, the airspeed reading was mechanically determined inside the airspeed indicator. Likewise, the altimeter had its own independent mechanical movement, and the vertical speed indicator had a similar arrangement. In today’s digitally integrated cockpits, the altitude, airspeed, and vertical speed are developed from solid state sensors inside an air data computer […]
To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid subscriber. Sign in
