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#12
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"Wayne" writes:
Since the airspeed indicator (pitot tube) is pointed the same as the wing, then "indicated airspeed" does mean something. For instance, if you were to put the wing at a 90 degree AOA to the relative wind, then the airspeed would also read nothing or almost nothing correct? So I agree that airspeed doesn't matter, but indicated airspeed does. His point was that the stall speeds marked on the ASI (Vs and Vso) are applicable only at 1 G, maximum gross weight, and the appropriate flap/gear configuration. That's why an angle-of-attack indicator would be nice. If you're doing anything that increases the G-load on the plane, like turning or pulling up from a dive (i.e. anything that presses your behind into the seat), the stall speeds will be higher; if the plane is loaded below maximum gross weight, the stall speeds will be lower; and so on. It's a bit of an overstatement to say that stall speeds don't matter, but you do have to take them with a big grain of salt. Let's say that you have just recovered from a stall or spin and are now in a dive heading quickly towards the ground. If you pull up hard, you might stall the plane at close to double the Vs marked on the ASI. All the best, David |
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