Terrence asked of AOA systems, so standby for conflicting
opinions.
Here's one. From my experience flying F4s (USAF) and several
Navy ac (Naval TPS) the only AOA presentation that is visually in concert with
contact flying (eg base to final turn) especially in a deceleration pattern:
the presentation indicator MUST be in the field of view as the pilot is
looking out of the cockpit, past the instrument panel. An indicator on
the instrument panel is only more good data like airspeed, but requires
refocus, and does not deliver the information where it's needed: in the field
of view.
Therefore, the challenge is to get an appropriate indicator mounted above
the glare shield and as far forward as possible.
Additionally, the visual must provide intuitive reaction by the pilot and
not require interpretation. The Alpha Systems chevron indicator provides
this. The donut is "onspeed" and the chevrons suggest to the pilot what
to do with the stick. That is why thousands of military fighter pilots
in millions of hours of flying, have come to see this presentation as the
appropriate standard for instant visual recognition of the AOA right now, when
micro seconds count. (However, the Alpha Systems probe is troublesome
for a couple of reasons.)
One que the fighters of the 60's did not have, is an aural in the headset
that said "Angle, Push, Push," and that too would be an excellent and valued
que for quick response by the pilot. Unfortunately the aural que
doesn't indicate how much to push forward, and when is it ok to ease back
again. Whether that evokes the desired flight response as quick as a
visual in the field of view would require testing. In lieu of that, I
believe an aural signal with practiced pilot input would be a good contender
for use with head-out-of-the-cockpit contact flying, where it's most
important.
The May 2012 issue of Aviation Consumer does a good job of describing AOA
systems available. It only lacked in not emphasizing enough that an
intuitive visual indication IN THE FIELD OF VIEW is the most useful in
preventing death and destruction. Think donut and chevrons.
Jack Addison
LNC 2 hi comp, no AOA