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You are in a climb with a blocked static port. What will you see?

A) Airspeed Indicator (ASI) underreading
B) Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) displaying zero
C) Altimeter (ALT) freezing at a specific altitude
D) Heading Indicator (HI) malfunctioning

User Geofferey
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

If there is a blocked static port during a climb, the Airspeed Indicator will underread, the Vertical Speed Indicator may mistakenly show continuous climb or descent, and the Altimeter will freeze at a certain altitude, while the Heading Indicator will be unaffected.

Step-by-step explanation:

Impact of a Blocked Static Port on Aircraft Instruments

When you're in a climb with a blocked static port, you will experience several instrument irregularities. Specifically, the Airspeed Indicator (ASI) will underread because it relies on the differential pressure between the pitot tube and the static port. In contrast, the Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) will show a continuous climb or descent even after leveling off as it senses the trapped pressure as a change in altitude. The Altimeter (ALT) will freeze at the altitude where the blockage occurred because it requires static pressure to register changes in altitude. Lastly, the Heading Indicator (HI) is not affected by the static port; it uses a gyroscope and will continue to function normally. Therefore, in a climb with a blocked static port, you will most likely observe your ASI underreading, your VSI displaying continuous climb/descent, and your ALT freezing at a certain altitude.

User Skeletalmonkey
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