After I tested the pitot system I also wanted to make sure the static system was tight. I looked online at the Van's Air Force forum and found this great test idea. I picked up a small suction cup at the hardware store and drilled a 1/4" hole in the center, then inserted plastic tubing into the hole and sealed with RTV. When this dried, I sealed the opposite static port with tape and sucked on the tubing until the suction cup adhered to the fuselage (lick the cup then hold in place until the suction takes hold). I sucked very gently until the altimeter indicated about 1000' above field elevation, then clipped the line to hold the reading. I then timed the amount of altitude loss. After 5 minutes the altimeter had only lost 20' which is well within the allowed loss of 100' in a minute so I am confident that the static system is also good to go.
