AoA keep it going!
But can you instantly recall the exact speeds for all of them, under
pressure, without fail?
Yes. But if I really couldn't and were in the situation you describe, I
just would write them into a little booklet which I could take with me
and consult before getting into the glider. Just as I do with many other
things. (Besides: If you can't remember the exact speeds to fly, why
should you be able to remember the exact AoA to fly?)
Ok, you probably have never flown an aircraft with an actual AOA
system installed. The point is, there is only one AOA you care about,
and that is what a simple AOA gauge shows. Thats it - if you are
below that angle, you are fast. Above that angle, you are slow. No
matter what your gross weight, bank angle, etc.
I've done the booklet route, and it's fine, up to a point.
My personal experience was in giving commercial rides (sightseeing and
aerobatic) in 2-33s, 2-32s, G-103s, and ASK-21s. With a wide variety
of passenger size, in no particular order, often moving to a different
glider immediately after landing.
I shudder at the thought that a pilot would give commercial rides to
passengers without being absolutely sure of the exact speeds to fly!
Have you ever been there? When you fly a lot of different gliders,
every one has a different "exact" speed to fly. This is where
experience comes in - you learn real fast the speed ranges for the
gliders involved, and how they feel. And how to carry some extra
airspeed in the pattern until you can safely get rid of it.
But it would still be nice to have ACCURATE instrumentation. While
airspeed works, it is by design only an approximation of the correct
speed.
It may not be ACCURATE, but it certainly is accurate enough. For me, anyway.
Yes, and for me too. But that doesn't mean we can't have something
better. Otherwise, with that logic, we would be all still flying with
uncompensated pellet varios. Sure they work, but we can do better!
Now, get slow on your turn to final in a
2-32 and you may wish you had an AoA indicator!
The solution is simple: Just don't get slow on your turn to final. This
has been hammered into my head since my very first flight, and it works
for me. I don't see what an AoA instrument could add to this. If you are
distracted enough to get slow with an ASI, then I see no reason why you
wouldn't be distracted enough to get slow with an AoAI.
ARGGG you just do not understand the concept. Oh well, fun discussion
anyway.
Cheers, and Merry Chrismas!
Kirk
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