AOA

[carrollcw]

Originally Posted by PCHunt

OK, all in fun now: This absolutely IS true. As a prior fighter pilot, I can attest to this statement's veracity. AOA has everything to do with stick position.

Yes I am a former fighter pilot, but that doesn't change what rules angle-of-attack follow. During my instruction and particularly when giving BFR's, I demonstrate that stick position equals "alpha" (AoA) by doing the following: I do a power off, level, one-G stall, and ask the other pilot to carefully note the stick position. Then I do an accelerated stall at about 2 to 2.5 G's, and again carefully note the stick position.

For all practical considerations, the stick positions are the same.

Maybe in that one example, in a stall scenario, stick position has a relation to AOA, but as a prior fighter pilot, you should be able to follow this example. In a break turn beginning above cornering velocity, if you pull full aft stick, you will initially be at a much lower AOA than after speed deteriorates. As it deteriorates you will slow to cornering velocity (unless you have excessive thrust to weight) as aoa increases (still full aft stick) where you will most likely unload to capture cornering velocity aoa (unless in a nose position fight).

I want to have AOA configured to let me know when I can get away with full aft stick application vs when I have to fly with a little more finesse.

Respectfully, I think you are over simplifying things a bit.

[RV7A Flyer]

Originally Posted by carrollcw

In a break turn beginning above cornering velocity, if you pull full aft stick, you will initially be at a much lower AOA than after speed deteriorates. As it deteriorates you will slow to cornering velocity (unless you have excessive thrust to weight) as aoa increases (still full aft stick) where you will most likely unload to capture cornering velocity aoa (unless in a nose position fight).

So just for s**ts and grins...what IS cornering velocity in an RV?

[ChiefPilot]

Originally Posted by RV7A Flyer

So just for s**ts and grins...what IS cornering velocity in an RV?

Corner speed (or Vc) is the indicated airspeed at which maximum load factor occurs without inducing an aerodynamic stall or structural failure and occurs at the same point on the V-N diagram as Va.

The Vc of my particular aircraft is classified

[RV7A Flyer]

Originally Posted by ChiefPilot

Corner speed (or Vc) is the indicated airspeed at which maximum load factor occurs without inducing an aerodynamic stall or structural failure and occurs at the same point on the V-N diagram as Va.

The Vc of my particular aircraft is classified

Oh, well, THAT'S no fun...here I thought it would be something really *cool*, not just boring old Va LOL!

[Wunderon]

Originally Posted by RV7A Flyer

Oh, well, THAT'S no fun...here I thought it would be something really *cool*, not just boring old Va LOL!

mmm, Va includes full rudder deflection, one time, so not sure which control surface is the Va limit. I'd argue cornering is primarily an elevator/airspeed/load limit.

anyone volunteer their airspeed/weight/power for a sustained level 4 or 6 G turn? Or is it a lower G?

[simpkinsona]

[quote=carrollcw;973964] In a break turn beginning above cornering velocity, if you pull full aft stick, you will initially be at a much lower AOA than after speed deteriorates. As it deteriorates you will slow to cornering velocity (unless you have excessive thrust to weight) as aoa increases (still full aft stick) where you will most likely unload to capture cornering velocity aoa (unless in a nose position fight).

QUOTE]

Actually you will go to the same AOA and the wings will fall off. That's the definition of corner velocity.

-Andy

[ChiefPilot]

Originally Posted by Wunderon

anyone volunteer their airspeed/weight/power for a sustained level 4 or 6 G turn? Or is it a lower G?

It's a lower load factor. The actual turn rate (degrees per second) is pretty good though.