Pitot-Static System Simulator
Block the pitot ram inlet, the drain hole, or the static port and watch exactly how the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator respond — then read the plain-English reason behind every failure. This is one of the most reliably tested topics on the FAA written.
How the pitot-static system works
Three flight instruments share two pressure sources. The pitot tube faces into the airflow and captures ram (total) pressure. The static port sits flush with the fuselage and senses undisturbed static (ambient) pressure. Knowing which instrument uses which source is the key to predicting every failure.
Airspeed Indicator (ASI)
Ram (pitot) pressure vs. static pressure
The only instrument that uses the pitot tube. It measures the difference between ram air pressure and static pressure.
Altimeter
Static pressure only
A stack of aneroid wafers that expand and contract with ambient static pressure to show altitude.
Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
Static pressure only
Senses how fast static pressure is changing through a calibrated leak, showing rate of climb or descent.
Try it
Pick a failure scenario
Flight phase
The speed the aircraft is really flying. Watch how a blocked pitot makes the airspeed indicator ignore this entirely.
Introduce a blockage
System diagram
Blocked components turn red. The airspeed indicator is the only instrument fed by the ram (pitot) line; the altimeter and VSI use static pressure only.
Normal — system healthy
All ports are clear. Every instrument reads correctly. Toggle a blockage to see what fails.
Airspeed Indicator
Ram (pitot) pressure vs. static pressure
CorrectAltimeter
Static pressure only
CorrectVertical Speed Indicator
Rate of change of static pressure
CorrectAirspeed Indicator
CorrectIndicates your correct airspeed.
Why: Both ram pressure (through the pitot tube) and static pressure are reaching the instrument, so the difference between them gives a true airspeed reading.
Altimeter
CorrectIndicates the correct altitude and tracks your climbs and descents.
Why: The altimeter measures ambient static pressure, which it is receiving normally through the static port.
Vertical Speed Indicator
CorrectCorrectly shows the climb (up).
Why: The VSI senses how fast static pressure is changing. With the static port clear it reports your true rate of climb or descent.
What the FAA tests
- Ram inlet blocked, drain open: the airspeed indicator reads zero.
- Pitot fully blocked: the airspeed indicator acts like an altimeter — reads high in a climb, low in a descent.
- Static port blocked: the altimeter freezes, the VSI reads zero, and the airspeed indicator becomes inaccurate (low climbing, high descending).
- Alternate static source (unpressurized cabin): the altimeter and airspeed indicator read slightly high and the VSI shows a momentary climb.
Studying for your FAA written?
Drill pitot-static failures and the rest of the systems questions with ACS-aligned practice, AI explanations, and the cited FAA reference.
For study and familiarization only — illustrative values, not a calibrated instrument model. Always fly your aircraft in accordance with its POH/AFM and current FAA guidance.