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Yellow enclosed-cabin gyroplane in flight against a clear blue sky

Glossary

What is the pitot-static system?

The plumbing that feeds the airspeed indicator, the altimeter and the vertical speed indicator. The pitot tube faces forward and senses the pressure of air brought to a stop against it; the static ports sit flush with the skin and sense the undisturbed ambient pressure. A blockage in either one makes those instruments lie.

Also called Pitot tube, static port

That is the whole entry for now. The longer version, with the mechanics and worked examples, is still to be written. See autorotation for how those read once they exist.

All glossary terms