AoA keep it going!

I generally find that my attention is fully occupied while landing. If
I had an AoA indicator, I would have to take attention away from
something else to look at it (I always have the audio vario and radio
off for the final approach). Would an AoA also indicator free up some
of my attention, and if so, from what?

Ian

Ian, do you look at your airspeed indicator while landing (well,
during the approach, of course - no one looks at their airspeed while
actually landing, do they?)? If you do, then a properly designed AoA
indicator could make your approaches easier and safer. Remember,
airspeed is just an inaccurate way to show angle of attack - the AoA
gauge shows it directly.

Now, if all gliders had AoA gauges, you could jump from one glider to
another and not worry about what the right approach speed is for the
glider you happen to be in. Ditto min sink, etc. Sure would be nice
with ballasted two-seaters, that can have a significant difference in
approach and thermalling speeds depending on crew and ballast weight.

Right now, the closest we have is the yellow triangle on german
gliders - approach speed at max gross, I think? (please correct me if
I'm wrong on that one).

Still dreaming...

Kirk
66

If you are too busy on landing to watch an AoA indicator you must
therefore be too busy to watch an airspeed indicator. I don't have much
time in gliders but in my powered plane, I usually glance at the ASI as
I level the wings on final, then I just use visual (and wind noise)
references to make the landing with an occasional glance at ASI as I
start the roundout and flare. I think the AoA would be most useful at
altitude when flying a tight spiral in a column of lift...

Scott


Ian wrote:

On 17 Dec, 20:37, "Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote:


I'd love to have a quality AOA indicator to make those landings easier and
safer.


I generally find that my attention is fully occupied while landing. If
I had an AoA indicator, I would have to take attention away from
something else to look at it (I always have the audio vario and radio
off for the final approach). Would an AoA also indicator free up some
of my attention, and if so, from what?

Ian

--
Scott
http://corbenflyer.tripod.com/
Gotta Fly or Gonna Die
Building RV-4 (Super Slow Build Version)

Ian wrote:


I generally find that my attention is fully occupied while landing.

When isn't it? I always find myself falling behind somehow whenever I
begin to merely enjoy the scenery.


If I had an AoA indicator, I would have to take attention away from
something else to look at it...

There is a thing we in the game call a cross-check: look into it.


(I always have the audio vario and radio
off for the final approach).

Now I get it, Ian: you are really a troll/FAA Inspector, here to roil
the waters on r.a.s. We can play that game.

The vario-off mode is OK, if you must reduce the aural clutter, but
please tell us how you believe that turning off a major link (radio) you
have with one of the greatest hazards in flying (other traffic) is going
to improve your longevity: and in the pattern, no less? Horrified minds
want to know.


Would an AoA...indicator free up some
of my attention, and if so, from what?

An AoAi would give you a reliable indication of the actual and, in
concert with other instruments (ASi, RoC/Vario) and the seat of your
pants, the potential performance of your wing. There is no single item
that I know of which will virtually fly the aircraft for you: certainly
the AoA will not.

What is it which you would like to be able to do, or to know--and in
what phase of flight?



Jack