WELLINGTON, Kansas – Air Plains Services is now an authorized dealer for Alpha Systems AOA products, offering the company’s full line of stand-alone angle of attack systems for a variety general aviation aircraft, including most Cessna piston models.
“We have been very impressed with the performance and reliability of the kits from Alpha Systems AOA and we’re very happy to add them to our growing lineup of avionics and aircraft systems,” said Eric Papon, Air Plains avionics service manager. “They are affordable, easy to install, extremely versatile, and they add an extra level of safety that is always welcomed in a modern cockpit.”
Alpha Systems AOA produces four models that feature a variety of cockpit displays including a glare-shield mounted head-up display, designed for when visibility is critical and panel space is limited. Some also feature audio feedback and optional dual displays.
In the past year, Air Plains has added Dynon, Guardian, and BendixKing (including TruTrak) avionics to its array of avionics suppliers, including Avidyne, Genesys, Appareo, L3 and Aspen.
All Navy aircraft come aboard the ship using AOA. The AOA gauge in NAVY aircraft is very similar to the Alpha systems AOA gauge.
To quote Chuck Yeager..
“.. that’s a stupid gauge. If you don’t know what your angle of attack is, you shouldn’t be flyin”
Well, with a “stupid” AOA indication you would know your angle of attack…right?
During the course of instruction and Flight Reviews, I find many folks (including CFI’s) don’t fully understand the relationship of weight and proper short field approach speeds. They use the book approach speed recommendation (which may even be CAS instead of IAS) based on max gross weight instead of checking real Vso stall speed at their normal operational weight and multiplying that speed by 1.3. The difference could be 10 kts, or more. That extra speed equates to a considerably greater landing distance, which could be a factor when the time comes for them to really make a short field landing well within the capability of the aircraft, but beyond their personal and POH induced short field procedure.
AOA could very easily resolve these issues and perhaps even reduce the accident rate.