When calculating aircraft performance, which measurement indicates the pressure exerted by a column of air?

Static pressure is the measurement that indicates the pressure exerted by a column of air. In the context of aircraft performance, static pressure is vital as it represents the ambient atmospheric pressure at a specific altitude and is crucial for determining other performance parameters.

Static pressure is measured when the airflow is not moving; therefore, it reflects the weight of the air above the measurement point. This is important in aviation because static pressure plays a significant role in lift generation, air density calculations, and engine performance, among other factors.

Dynamic pressure, in contrast, is associated with the movement of air and is derived from the velocity of the aircraft through the air. True pressure and equivalent pressure are not standard terminologies used in aerodynamics to represent a physical pressure measurement. Thus, static pressure is the correct term to indicate the force exerted by the air column and is essential for understanding aircraft performance metrics.