On Sunday, June 9, 2013 6:55:36 AM UTC-6, KiloKilo wrote:
I just wondering if current technology could provide improved stall-spin warnings/information.



For example, suppose you installed a pitot at each wingtip (and I'm making an assumption you need this level of resolution) and had an instrument that monitored/stored wingtip airspeed and fluctuations … and had inertial inputs that could provide information about how cleanly you were flying the ship.



This data would be evaluated relative to a flight envelope (algorithm and envelope would have to be developed)– and if you were near the envelope boundaries – because of atmospheric conditions (gusts or shear) … or how you were flying the ship (slipping or skidding) … or if you were close to the ground/terrain … alerts would display/sound. (Could this be a feature of our modern varios.)



Or do we consistently fly too close (or over) an envelope edge to allow this to work in practice.



KK

The key variable to monitor is angle of attack. Other than in the landing flare, there is no reason or need to operate a glider at an angle of attack greater than that for minimum sink. There's a fairly wide angle of attack range between min sink and stall where a slow/stall warning could be set so it isn't overly intrusive.

The Angle of attack probe itself can be just two pressure ports in the nose..

The warning itself could be lights, sounds or my preference, a stick vibrator like the ones in cell phones. Since most gliders have glide computers with AGL altitude, the warnings could be more insistent when low.