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What does the vertical speed indicator display?

Choices

  • The aircraft’s indicated airspeed

    Airspeed is shown by the airspeed indicator, not the VSI.

  • ✓ The rate of climb or descent in feet per minutecorrect

    The VSI shows how fast the aircraft is climbing or descending.

  • The magnetic heading

    Heading is shown by the heading indicator or compass.

  • The angle of bank

    Bank angle is shown by the attitude indicator.

Why

The vertical speed indicator shows the rate of climb or descent in feet per minute by measuring how quickly static pressure changes, with a short lag.

FAA source: PHAK Ch. 8browse the reference library →

This is taught in The Pitot-Static Instruments and Their Failures — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

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Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question. Reviewed by a panel of three CFIs + AI review.

What does the vertical speed indicator display? · PPL Free Ground School