wrote in message
oups.com...

I really wish there was a simple, reliable and easy to read angle of
attack (AOA) gauge available for gliders, optimized for efficient
thermalling (no adjustment needed for water ballast or bank angle -
unlike airspeed) and safe pattern speeds (instant response to wind
gradient and shear; and again automatically adjusts for landing right
off tow while still full of water).

Then you could use this exercise to show how to drive the AOA way past
the stalling AOA while still appearing to be in a level "flying"
attitude.

Kirk


I agree that an AoA indicator would be very useful in general and in winch
launch in particular.

A VERY cheap AoA indicator can be made with two red yarns taped to the sides
of the canopy as far forward and as low a possible yet where the pilot can
still see them. You need two yarns to insure that the pitch angle is not
affected by a yaw angle. Calibrate the yarns with a flight at best L/D, Min
Sink and stall. Those are the only AoA you are interested in.

The $99 Dynon AoA probe looks like it might work in gliders. It's just a
pitot probe with a 45 degree angled flat face below the pitot opening with a
pressure port in the middle of the flat face. Some clever electronics
convert the pressure differential into an AoA display. If you have a
flapped glider, the electronic smarts will need to know the flap position.
If the electronics have the correct AoA, then the best flap setting for that
AoA is also known and can be displayed too.

Bill Daniels