"Ed Rasimus" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 27 Jun 2006 13:45:19 -0400, "sttp"
wrote:

Elsewhere I've read that the Tomcat flies "units" of AoA, not degrees,
with
its AoA range of -10 to +40 degrees being converted to units in the 0 to
+30
range. That would mean the formula for converting units to degrees in that
plane is [UnitsAoA = .6 * DegreesAoA + 6]. I've also read that approach
AoA
for the F-14 is 15 units, which would be... 15 degrees! Holy crap. Is that
correct? That seems awfully high (too far nose up) to me, especially given
the Hornet's ideal 8.1degrees. Can anyone confirm or correct these values?
Or is there something weird going on with wing angle of incidence (or
something else) that throws a spoke in my assumption that 15 degrees AoA
means 12 degrees nose up on approach. (15, minus 3 for the glideslope.)
Any
help appreciated. Thanks!

Scott

Start by disregarding your initial assumption that the AoA "units"
equate to anything other than an index for the driver to use regarding
performance.


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com


With all due respect Ed, that doesn't really help me. ;-) That AoA is an
"index for the driver to use regarding performance" is patently obvious to
anyone who's ever piloted, whether that value is measured in degrees or some
arbitrary "unit". My question is basically this: what is the Tomcat's
optimal approach AoA in DEGREES? (I know it's 15 units.) Is the conversion
from degrees to units linear in this particular aircraft (which helps with
the first question, if the answer is not explicitly known)? Do you have any
idea? Thanks.

Scott