What does SORD indicate in static blockage?

The term SORD, when related to static blockage, refers to "Static Over-Reads in Descent." This indicates a situation where the static pressure system becomes obstructed, leading to erroneous readings on instruments that depend on static pressure, such as the altimeter, airspeed indicator, and vertical speed indicator.

When flying in a descent, static blockage can result in the altimeter displaying a higher altitude than the actual altitude, providing a misleading representation of the aircraft's height. Understanding this concept is crucial for pilots, particularly those flying in instrument conditions or high-traffic areas where accurate altitude awareness is necessary for safety. Therefore, the correct interpretation of SORD highlights the importance of recognizing the symptoms of static pressure system failures during critical phases of flight, such as descent.