1. ANGLE-of-ATTACK Proprietary Software Systems, Inc.
(952)
950 Iris Circle
Excelsior MN
© copyrighted 1999

2. Importance of AOA
Fly by the numbers! Vs, Vx, Vy, VREF, Best Engine out Glide and Max Endurance
Most of your Aircraft’s critical performance numbers are a function of AOA
When you fly airspeed the airspeed actually was derived from AOA
© copyrighted 1999

3. What is AOA
Angle between the relative wind and the chord of the airfoil
The Wright brothers flew AOA and their early aircraft were equipped with a reference stick and a piece of yarn
© copyrighted 1999

4. Looping Maneuver AOA=8 Attitude=0 AOA=8 AOA=8 Attitude=+90
© copyrighted 1999

5. AOA is referenced to:
Zero Lift
Line
© copyrighted 1999

6. Most Elegant reference for AOA
Orient the reference for AOA so that zero degrees AOA is where the wing creates no lift. L=1/2 CLSwV2
When the coefficient of lift is zero the wing creates no lift and induced drag is zero.
The proper term for this reference is “angle from zero lift.”
© copyrighted 1999

7. Setting AOA Leave everything alone to fly a fixed AOA
Trim wheel controls AOA
Trim for AOA
Perceiving AOA is difficult
© copyrighted 1999

8. Gauging AOA
Three components to AOA 1. Pitch attitude (angle of fuselage relative to the horizontal) 2. Angle of climb (angle of the flight path relative to the horizontal) 3. Angle of incidence (angle of wing relative to the fuselage)
AOA =Pitch attitude + incidence - angle of climb
Pitch attitude does not equal AOA
© copyrighted 1999

9. AOA=pitch attitude + angle of incidence - flight path angle
© copyrighted 1999

10. Flying AOA from High Density Altitude Airports
© copyrighted 1999

11. Flying at different Gross Weights
Stall speed varies with gross weight by the following formula: Vs2 = Vs1  W2/W1
If the stall speed at 2,000 # GW was 60 KCAS then the stall speed at 3,000# is 73 KCAS
The stalling AOA (critical AOA) remains the same at all weights
© copyrighted 1999

12. Flying at different angles of bank
Stall speed varies with bank angle by the following formula: Vs1 = Vs2  1/cos
If the stall speed at zero degrees bank angle was 60 KCAS the stalling speed at 60 degrees bank is 85 KCAS
The stalling AOA (critical AOA) is not affected by bank angle.
© copyrighted 1999

13. Flying in turbulence
Stall speed varies with turbulence by the following formula: Vs1 = Vs2  G
If the stall speed at 1 “G” was 60 KCAS the stalling speed in a 2 “G” bump is 85 KCAS
The stalling AOA (critical AOA) is not affected by turbulence.
© copyrighted 1999

14. Cumulative Effect
Stall speed increases due to weight, bank angle and turbulence are cumulative.
If we were to encounter the heavier 3,000# weight, 60 degrees of bank, and the 2 “G” bump all at the same time, the stalling speed of 60 has now increased to 146 knots.
The critical AOA is not affected.
© copyrighted 1999

15. Flying Approaches to Landings
An aircraft in the landing configuration will stall at the same AOA regardless of airspeed, fuel weight, payload, “G” loading, bank angle, and turbulence.
If the critical AOA is constant during these different conditions then the optimum AOA for an approach is also constant.
All approaches are flown at a fixed AOA.
© copyrighted 1999

16. Flying the best engine out glide or maximum endurance
Lift=V2CLA/2 and Drag= V2CDA/2 Lift/Drag=CL/CD
The L/D ratio is not a function of airspeed or weight. A lightly loaded aircraft will have the same L/D as when heavier except that it will have a slower descent rate and a slower forward speed.
Ignoring propeller effects, the best L/D occurs at a fixed AOA.
© copyrighted 1999

17. Understanding Lift to Drag
L/D max is used in flight for: maximum endurance for jet powered airplanes maximum range for prop driven aircraft maximum climb angle for jet powered aircraft maximum power-off glide range for jet and prop aircraft
L/D max occurs at one specific AOA
Reverse
Command
Normal
Command
L/D max
Total Drag
stall
Parasite drag
DRAG
Induced drag
Units AOA 16 12 8 4 2
© copyrighted 1999

18. Angle-of-Attack vs. Coefficient of Lift
Critical AOA (stall)
Behind the Power Curve
Reverse Command
Coefficient of Lift
Angle Warning AOA (stall warning)
Optimum Approach AOA
L/D max, best glide, max endurance, best range
Cruise
Zero Lift (induced drag=0)
Angle from zero lift (AOA)
© copyrighted 1999

19. AOA fidelity and accuracy
AOA varies inversely as the square of the airspeed.
Therefore, AOA fidelity increases with slower speeds and higher angles-of-attack.
At maneuvering speeds and lower, AOA is it aerodynamically.
© copyrighted 1999

20. AOA is the ultimate aerodynamic instrument
AOA is used to establish the best approach, best climb angles, maximum endurance, long range cruise, best glides and other flight maneuvers.
You do not disregard airspeed altogether, but use the airspeed and angle-of-attack to supplement one another.
© copyrighted 1999

21. Flying AOA for All Approaches
Best AOA for
all Approaches.
Trim for this AOA.
AOA too low.
Increase back pressure
and trim if necessary.
AOA way too high!
Lower the AOA
and go around.
Middle yellow
light
Use the throttle to control the rate of descent!
© copyrighted 1999

22. AOA is Instantaneous but IAS Lags
Before
Immediately after stick/yoke pull
© copyrighted 1999

23. AOA Professional Display
Zero
lift
Best
L/D
Optimum
approach
Angle
advisory
© copyrighted 1999

24. AOA Sport Display Optimum approach Angle advisory Critical Best AOA
L/D
Cruise
© copyrighted 1999

25. Thanks for your attention Fly Safe with ANGLE-of-ATTACK
Proprietary Software Systems, Inc.
(952)
950 Iris Circle
Excelsior MN
© copyrighted 1999