AOA

Post by **Spike** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:36 am

Im debating if I want to go with an AOA indicator. I really really like the concept, but I dont know if I want to part with the cash and add the weight.

Is anyone adding one? Which unit? The advanced flight systems version has my eye. Im not sure I want to spend $1500 on it though.

Spike

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:43 am

I'm planning on putting one in, but I'm watching the used market for a deal. I'll probably just put an LRI unit in if I don't come across one before I need one.

My airplane will have one though.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:35 pm

I went AFS. I dare say it is the best one out there.

I like it because it has two distinctly seperate ports. One on top and the other on the bottom of the wing. I am not an engineer but it seems that this independent sampling is the most accurate method. I suppose this allows one to measure pressures at the optimum locations (at least to me).

I also like it because it integrates with the AF EFIS Displays. It won't appear as an afterthought.

It also has aural alerting for system checks and high angles of attack. ANGLE, ANGLE - PUSH, PUSH!

Cool, huh?

Ahhhhhh, you guys probably don't care for any of these things, right?

CJ

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:35 pm

Something about a woman's voice talking about "angle" and "push".
I just had to have one

Seriously though, I am installing the exact one CJ describes, and while I feel it's not absolutely necessary, it does add another tool in the box of safety items to have.

I've been flying the RV-4 now for a little over 100 hours and I have to admit that you don't really need one in it. Not even a stall warning horn/vane either. This wing gives good stall buffet and I've grown used to how it feels when it nibbles near it.

Still, I think the AOA is a great tool to have for an unfamiliar plane pilot combo as well as for added safety when on that moonless night approach into an unfamiliar airport.

Post by **Spike** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:36 am

I think I might end up getting the AFS unit. I still need to ponder some, but a flight last night gave me some stuff to think about. Patti and I went flying just to relax and enjoy the peaceful weather. She has been reading "Right Seat", a book written for frequent passengers. The aim is get her familiar with flying the plane and using the radios if something ever happens to me. Anyway, we worked through the usage of flaps, slow flight, how to pitch to best glide in an engine failure, etc.

The last thing we did was imminent stalls. Once the horn was blairing we flew out of the condition. It dawned on me while doing this that the rv wont have a horn, and that there will not be any audible warning of an impending stall. No, its not necessary, but it saved my bacon once while flight training for my private, and it might save my bacon some day if I slack off in the pattern. It might also save Patti's bacon one day if she hears a command to push the nose.

Im not positive yet that I will, but there is a strong argument to install one.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:51 am

Guess I need to read up on the AFS unit again...I wasn't aware that the thing talks to you like that!

The LRI unit does have audible warnings, but I think it's just a buzzer or horn.

Hmmm...

Dan A · Post by **Dan A** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:57 pm

Hey ya'll,
We're not building commercial airliners to fly! Remember that the more weight with all the goodies the less envelope we have for aerobatics! I prefer the seat-'o the pants method!

Dan

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:40 am

Dan, I'm glad ya spoke up. Most of the gadgets I'm seeing are cool but gads I want to fly not just go along for a ride.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:04 am

Naw, I want the bells, whistles and things that go woo woo!

I AM building the plane I can't rent!

This is the plane of my dreams. I am sure that yours is fine for you, though...

I agree, one DOESN'T need the fancy toys. I just want them.

CJ

RV7Factory · Post by **RV7Factory** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:11 pm

If I go with the AFS EFIS then I will add the AFS AOA... for $400 more, why not?

Lorin Dueck · Post by **Lorin Dueck** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:46 pm

All -
My mom (yup, mom!) put AFS AOA Sport in her 9A.
I liked it so much I'm going to put one in my plane too.
But - It did take a few times to get used to hearing the "angle .. angle .. push.. push..." thing
Lorin D
9A (Flaps)
N194LD reserved

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:12 pm

Wicked Stick wrote:I've been flying the RV-4 now for a little over 100 hours and I have to admit that you don't really need one in it. Not even a stall warning horn/vane either. This wing gives good stall buffet and I've grown used to how it feels when it nibbles near it.

I wish my 4 did that. My just flies until it doesn't. There is maybe one little burble and then you drop.

Wicked Stick wrote:Still, I think the AOA is a great tool to have for an unfamiliar plane pilot combo as well as for added safety when on that moonless night approach into an unfamiliar airport.

Or into a short grass strip.

I'm planning on an AOA for the RV-7.

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:43 pm

Thats interesting Scott,

Perhaps since these kits are all home builts, and the fact that the 4's aren't match drilled, makes them more unique in the flying/handling department.

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:23 pm

Especially with my workmanship... unique is an understatement.

The metal work is good enough but my rigging probably leaves a little to be desired.

Not to hijack this thread but I've heard that installing vortex generators on the 4 will give them that pre-stall buffet we all know and love. I have a set for the 4 but I haven't installed them yet.

No matter what the stall characteristics of the 7 are, I still want that AOA. If I can get a gizmo that tells me how close to a stall I am AND IS ACCURATE, that would really be invaluable to the type of flying I like to do.

(trying to steer back to topic)

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:42 am

Scott,

I compeltely agree with you in that the AOA is a great instrument that does provide an added margin of safety.

It works more like a dimmer switch than an on/off switch. By that anology I mean you get to progressively see the angle of attack change all the way down to the stall. Compared to a stall warning vane/switch, which is simply an on/off alarm set just above the stall.

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 5:56 pm

Nice. I'm really looking foward to trying one out.