Why are pitot and static ports often covered when an aircraft is parked?

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The readings from the pitot and static ports must reflect the actual air pressures the aircraft experiences in flight, so keeping those openings clean and unblocked is essential. When the aircraft is parked, covers protect these sensors from dust, insects, and moisture that can accumulate or enter the ports. If a port is contaminated or blocked, the pitot tube or static ports can give false or erratic readings, leading to incorrect airspeed, altitude, or vertical speed indications once you’re airborne.

Other options don’t address how the system works: keeping wings clean isn’t related to the pressure sensing, protecting from bird strikes is handled by other measures, and alignment for calibration isn’t achieved simply by covering the ports. The purpose of the covers is to prevent contamination and moisture from compromising the pitot-static system.