When the Pilot's Static Port is clogged, which of the following will happen to the airspeed?

When the Pilot's Static Port is clogged, the functioning of the aircraft's static pressure system is affected, which directly impacts the measurement of airspeed. The airspeed indicator relies on the comparison between the static pressure (from the static port) and the dynamic pressure (from the pitot tube) to display accurate speed information.

If the static port is obstructed, the aircraft’s static pressure is unable to change in response to altitude changes. As the aircraft climbs, the ambient static pressure decreases, which in a normally functioning system leads to an increase in indicated airspeed. However, with a clogged static port, the static pressure remains constant or does not reflect the actual external conditions.

As a result, when the aircraft climbs, the airspeed indicator will not reflect the increase in actual airspeed relative to the drop in ambient pressure. Instead, it may show a lower airspeed reading than what is accurate, leading to the conclusion that the indicated airspeed will decrease, which is why the correct response is that the airspeed will decrease.