Most partial-panel discussions focus on gyro-system failures. But what if your pitot-static system fails? Do you know what to look for? Here are some tips.

What would you do if this static port became blocked? Do you know which instruments would be affected?

In recent years, failures of the vacuum- or pressure-driven gyro instruments has received a great deal of emphasis when considering in-flight emergencies under IFR. The accident record reflects failures of the gyro instruments are rare but, when they do happen, they too often turn out to have fatal consequences. Unfortunately, failures in the pitot-static system can have the same dire consequences. While pilots spend a lot of time and effort training for gyro instrument failures, little emphasis is placed on what can happen and how to fly the plane when accurate airspeed, altitude and vertical-speed indications are not available. …