AOA Indicators

[Velocity173]

There you have it... the true value and utility of AoA. (I was wondering how long it would take for someone else who understands would chime in.) It's good for so much more than stall avoidance - if you take the time to learn how to properly use it. When you're operating out near the edges of the performance envelope it literally takes all of the guess work out of it. The FAA is finally getting on the bandwagon and making it easier to install them on Part 23 GA aircraft. It's about time. As they said in that video, they are a game changer - but only if you're willing to take the time and are willing to learn something new.

I don't think anyone was ever doubting the utility of the device for the above listed operations. As I said, it will allow for a more precise flight profile. For an F-18 that's pushing the AOA to the limits and every drop of fuel matters its a critical piece of equipment. The question is, how much of a difference will it make for the day to day flying of a small GA aircraft for the money involved?

 

[Henning]

I don't think anyone was ever doubting the utility of the device for the above listed operations. As I said, it will allow for a more precise flight profile. For an F-18 that's pushing the AOA to the limits and every drop of fuel matters its a critical piece of equipment. The question is, how much of a difference will it make for the day to day flying of a small GA aircraft for the money involved?

Well, if you experiment a bit and find out how much excess lift you burn in the final flare you can use it to stick precise landings every time.

 

[RotorAndWing]

The FAA is finally getting on the bandwagon and making it easier to install them on Part 23 GA aircraft.

What about all of those CAR3 airplanes out there?

 

[Velocity173]

Well, if you experiment a bit and find out how much excess lift you burn in the final flare you can use it to stick precise landings every time.

I already stick precise landings...every time.

 

[Henning]

I already stick precise landings...every time.

So, there is no room for improvement in your technique, that's awesome.

 

[Velocity173]

So, there is no room for improvement in your technique, that's awesome.

 

[Dead Stick]

I already stick precise landings...every time.

For the rest of us, myself included, it's a pretty useful tool. Someday I hope to be as good as he is.

 

[Clark1961]

So, there is no room for improvement in your technique, that's awesome.

He didn't claim they were precisely good, just precise...

 

[turbofan]

Can't wait to see Cessnas start putting their wheels through their fuel tanks flying on-speed approaches. In the T-34C we had an AoA gauge and indexers, it was pretty much worthless. How much alpha can a Cessna generate? 15? What's on-speed AoA for a Cessna? 2? What are you going to do, have an AoA gauge in increments of hundredths of a unit so you can fly 112 vs 114 knots to save a few milliliters of fuel?

Set 2400RPM in cruise and be happy. Use a fixed power setting for an instrument approach and control VSI using pitch. Flying on-speed when you don't need to just generates a bunch of excess throttle movements and in a piston airplane will probably cause unnecessary engine wear.