Which aircraft systems utilize static pressure for their operation?

Pitot-static instruments are designed specifically to utilize static pressure in combination with dynamic pressure to function effectively. These instruments include altimeters, vertical speed indicators, and airspeed indicators, which rely on measurements from the static ports of the aircraft.

Static pressure is crucial for these instruments because altimeters, for instance, determine altitude by measuring the ambient air pressure and comparing it to a standard atmospheric pressure. Vertical speed indicators assess the rate of climb or descent by measuring the change in static pressure over time. Airspeed indicators combine both the static pressure from the static port and the dynamic pressure from the Pitot tube to calculate the aircraft's airspeed.

In contrast, engine instruments typically rely on parameters such as temperature, RPM, and fuel flow rather than static pressure. Flight control systems usually involve direct mechanical or electronic signals for operation, and navigation systems depend more on GPS or inertial references rather than static pressure measurements. Consequently, it is the pitot-static instruments that distinctly utilize static pressure for their operational principles.