Paul McAllister,
My model is yet not flying, but am banking on a brilliant method
of I believe Graham Clarke (no longer flying). His solution was to add a
last stage to a Dutch-kit "back-up" warning device which utilized
sub-audible tones to reflect the distance to an object (ostensibly when
backing up a vehicle).
Instead of turning on a light (or beeping) when an adjusted
distance remains, the last stage translates the returning signal to a
sliding tone. This tone slides down in frequency from about 5 feet above
ground to about 5 inches - the speed of the slide an indication of the speed
of approach to the surface.
I have installed the original Jim Franz AoA* with last stage
addition and combined it with the audio 'radar' tone so that I can bring the
plane into close approach to ground at the ideal angle of attack to land
accurately. The AoA is no dial (it's no time to be watching a clock) but as
vertical 2inch 'tower' of Leds, changing colour from green (safe) to orange
(critical) to red (Stalled), just as the wheel get near the ground - thus
preventing bounces and assuring fully stalled condition and tailwheel
authority on touchdown. The Led tower is in the instrument coaming in full
view of the landing picture, so I don't have to watch airspeed but can
listen to my height and adjust as I watch the runway with the AoA in sight.
I also think I can safely acquire personal experience which will
reduce dependence on A0A/'radar' approach as time goes on.
details on demand
Ferg A064
PS: My experience is that classic Europa will not permit bounces for fear
of losing rudder authority in a bounce - Go Around is the only answer. I
believe this............
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul McAllister" <paul.mcallister@qia.net>
Subject: Europa-List: Angle of Attack
<paul.mcallister@qia.net>
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| Hi all,
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| After flying my mono wheel for 340 hours with various C of G's and weights
I an still surprised at how differently the aircraft behaves on landing.
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| I find that the amount of power needed in the flair can be from very
little to quite a lot if I want to bring it over the numbers at 55 knots
with not too much sink, and although I am getting good at judging the
various situations, occasionally I still get it wrong and I am rewarded with
a bounce on landing.
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| I was wondering if anyone on the forum has an AoA fitted to their Europa,
and are they finding the lift reserve a good indicator to help get that
"perfect 10" on every touch down ? If anyone has some experience I would be
interested in hearing from them.
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| Thanks,
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| Paul - N378PJ
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