A Talking Airspeed Indicator

Last year I was looking for such a device to allow me to montitor my speed more easily on approach so I didn't have to glance at the panel during this critical stage of flight. I found this affordable, small box that plumbs into your pitot line and runs on 12V. It is made in England. I only turn it on for landing so I added a power switch. It is made for headphone use so I added a small amplifier circuit to drive a speaker.(Will supply schematic if you want it.) I am pretty happy with it and thought others might like to know about it. This device should really help pilots avoid the stall-spin on approach problem as well as achieving a low-energy touchdown.
Link: http://www.smartavionics.com/prod-smartass.html

On Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 11:33:56 AM UTC-5, Soartech wrote:
Last year I was looking for such a device to allow me to montitor my speed more easily on approach so I didn't have to glance at the panel during this critical stage of flight. I found this affordable, small box that plumbs into your pitot line and runs on 12V. It is made in England. I only turn it on for landing so I added a power switch. It is made for headphone use so I added a small amplifier circuit to drive a speaker.(Will supply schematic if you want it.) I am pretty happy with it and thought others might like to know about it. This device should really help pilots avoid the stall-spin on approach problem as well as achieving a low-energy touchdown.
Link: http://www.smartavionics.com/prod-smartass.html

Any influence on the readings of the glider's ASI?

Tom BravoMike

No.
Any influence on the readings of the glider's ASI?

Tom BravoMike

On Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 1:36:29 PM UTC-7, Soartech wrote:
No.
Any influence on the readings of the glider's ASI?

Tom BravoMike

I already have too many talking instruments. Gauges (and appliances) should be seen and not heard! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRq_SAuQDec

Mike

On Thu, 18 May 2017 15:19:57 -0700, Mike the Strike wrote:

On Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 1:36:29 PM UTC-7, Soartech wrote:
No.
Any influence on the readings of the glider's ASI?

Tom BravoMike

I already have too many talking instruments. Gauges (and appliances)
should be seen and not heard!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRq_SAuQDec

Good one!

I have two noise-making instruments -vario and FLARM. My ASI is silent
and mounted where it belongs: top dead centre in the panel.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

Aha, finally found out who thought making glass-bottled ketchup worked just fine. Just kidding, but I think an audio-enabled ASI would be a good safety addition in reducing work-load during the most critical phases of flight (as long as one maintains visual instrument scans of course). Might have come in handy for at least some of those low altitude base/final turn accidents? Expensive at ~$300 and wonder if our flight computer software couldn't be modified to include audio warnings (using ASI, not gps input).

On Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 9:20:10 PM UTC-4, Duster wrote:
Aha, finally found out who thought making glass-bottled ketchup worked just fine. Just kidding, but I think an audio-enabled ASI would be a good safety addition in reducing work-load during the most critical phases of flight (as long as one maintains visual instrument scans of course). Might have come in handy for at least some of those low altitude base/final turn accidents? Expensive at ~$300 and wonder if our flight computer software couldn't be modified to include audio warnings (using ASI, not gps input).

"Stall Warning System SP-3
Electronic STALL WARNING SYSTEM designed to meet the requirements of JAR 22..207 and FAR 23.207 as well. Awarded the O.S.T.I.V. prize, being installed on gliders since 1991 and certified in Poland. Easy to install. No aerodynamic burden. Only one additional pressure sensing hole in the nose of the glider, or in the lower surface of the wing of the aeroplane. Ideal for sailplanes, motogliders and ultralight aeroplanes. The device signals close to stall condition in the range between 5 and 10 percent over the stall speed in straight and circling flight over the whole loading and ballast range. You set the alarm threshold only once, individually for your glider. How does it work ? The difference between pressures Pt and Pc is the function of the two variables : speed and angle of attack. The device measures, calculates and detects the moment when the combination of these two parameters informs you about an approaching stall."

You set your own threshold. It squawks when you get there; works well in my SZD-55. http://www.olk.com.pl/indexen.php?bo...roducts&lpx=26 . Takes very little power and panel, and no upkeep.

Why re-invent the wheel?

My LX9000 yells "STALL" a few seconds after touchdown. Did a stall series at altitude last weekend and it missed a few and the rest of the time I was already stalled when I got the warning. I suppose I could spend some time tweaking it, but probably won't.


On Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 6:20:10 PM UTC-7, Duster wrote:
wonder if our flight computer software couldn't be modified to include audio warnings (using ASI, not gps input).

I'll bet you recognized the impending stall before the computer had any
idea something could be going wrong, Tom.

On 5/18/2017 8:24 PM, wrote:
My LX9000 yells "STALL" a few seconds after touchdown. Did a stall series at altitude last weekend and it missed a few and the rest of the time I was already stalled when I got the warning. I suppose I could spend some time tweaking it, but probably won't.


On Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 6:20:10 PM UTC-7, Duster wrote:
wonder if our flight computer software couldn't be modified to include audio warnings (using ASI, not gps input).

--
Dan, 5J

Increased dependence on technology for basic flying skills could lead to poor reversion to manual methods when the tech fails.

Your mileage may vary...

Paul A.
Treasure Coast Soaring Club
Vero Beach, FL