The pitot system provides impact pressure for which instrument?

• A. Airspeed indicator
• B. Altimeter
• C. Vertical speed indicator
• D. Turn coordinator

Answer: (A)

The pitot system's job is to capture ram air pressure, or impact pressure, from the air flowing into the pitot tube. The airspeed indicator is designed to show speed by comparing this impact pressure to the ambient static pressure from the static port. The difference between the pitot (impact) pressure and static pressure drives the airspeed indicator, so it uses the pitot system directly. The altimeter and vertical speed indicator rely mainly on static pressure, and the turn coordinator uses a gyroscope, not pitot pressure.