Early on, pilots are taught that safety of flight depends on, among other things, a consistent flow of air across the airfoil and a positive angle of attack to produce lift. AOA is the angular difference between the wing’s chord line and the relative wind. Increase back pressure on the controls and lift increases, up to a point. Too steep an angle of attack, and that sweet lift-generating airflow goes haywire. Reduce the angle of attack, and the wing will fly once again. So vital is your awareness of the aircraft’s AOA at all times, the Wright brothers’ first airplane included a rudimentary AOA indicator built from a piece of wood and a length of yarn. So if the physics behind this are simple, why do these loss-of-control accidents occur?
Angle of Attack Guidance in the Panel
Key Takeaways:
- Many general aviation loss-of-control accidents are linked to pilots relying on airspeed as an inaccurate proxy for stall margin, as most small aircraft lack Angle of Attack (AOA) indicators that are standard in military aviation.
- AOA indicators offer a more accurate and intuitive measure of stall proximity, effective across all flight conditions (weight, bank, configuration), and are supported by the FAA and industry as a critical safety enhancement.
- Despite their proven benefits and easier installation due to policies like NORSEE, widespread AOA adoption in general aviation is slow due to traditional airspeed-focused training and a lack of pilot demand, requiring a shift in pilot education and advocacy.
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