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Pitot-Static System

While cockpit instrumentation can be represented by sophisticated electronic flight management systems, virtually all aircraft have simple mechanical instruments that work off atmospheric air pressure. Air pressure is looked at in two ways. First the air pressures experience due to the forward motion of the aircraft are sampled via the pitot, a tube that senses the ram pressure of the air. The greater the airspeed, the higher the pitot pressure. Air pressure of the atmosphere not related to the forward movement of the aircraft is sampled by the static port, which is generally located on the side of the aircraft. It is placed so that it is least affected by the movement of the aircraft.