Eric,
I
am using your question to answer two additional queries about AOA systems that
I received during Oshkosh.
First
of all, AOA systems, when properly installed and calibrated, are a great stall
warning system--better than the traditional vanes and airspeed-only based
systems. The newer systems available are reported to be both reliable and
accurate. AOA was a "required equipment" item in the USAF aircraft that I flew
before retirement, and I became a devotee long ago. LOBO, the FAA and the NTSB
have all recently looked at the available accident data and have stated that a
calibrated AOA system could have prevented at least some of the
loss-of-control accidents now on our books.
LOBO
has not endorsed any specific system, but strongly believes that any
properly-installed system, to include stall strips, are a significant addition
to the airspeed indicator for stall warning and avoidance. This is
particularly true for our Lancairs that don't change
control "feel" forces over rather large airspeed changes, and exhibit little
to no warning of an incipient stall without some type of AOA
sensing/warning.
I
installed the Advanced Flight Systems AOA Pro in my IV-P when I built it, and
have been extremely pleased with its faultless performance over the past 5
years. I can highly recommend this system, and the people behind it, from Jim
Frantz who originally developed it, to Rob Hickman and the folks that manage
the company today. http://www.advanced-flight-systems.com
(503)
263-0037.
My
recommendation comes from a well satisfied customer; but I have no experience
with any of the other AOA systems available for GA aircraft. I have also never
had it "alert" in the air except during intentional maneuvering to test the
system, and just before touchdown. That's one of the reasons I like it a lot.I
am pretty confident that it will warn me if I get too slow, but it's never
given a false alarm.which would concern my ever-vigilant
co-pilot/wife.
I
am sure there are other good AOA systems available, but this one is top of the
line as far as I am concerned.
Thanks,
BOB
From:
Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Erik
Larson
Sent: Saturday, August 10, 2013 12:02 AM
To:
lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Adding AOA to a
Legacy?
I am
considering adding AOA to my Legacy and was wondering if I can get some
feedback from anyone who has done this.
Is
there any consensus out there as to what system is preferred, from a
performance standpoint and secondarily, ease of
installation.
I was
looking at the Alpha Systems DSTR-AOA-9000EK which just happens to be named
Legacy.
Any
experience about this or any other systems would be greatly
appreciated!