AOA Sport Glareshield Mount

[N788RV]

Anybody have any ideas or pictures of the AOA sport mounted on the glareshield. This is where I would like to mount mine just haven't came up with a good idea yet.

[drill_and_buck]

I just exchanged my AOA sport panel mount LED ladder for the glareshield mount LED ladder.

Instructions call for mounting the LED ladder on the glareshield in a horizontal position. Just screw it in.

I would prefer a vertical position. It wouldn't be to difficult to create a mount.

The challenge would be to create a mount that looks good, most likely will have to create a fiberglass housing.

-Mike
RV-8 TMX0360
finish

[N788RV]

I guess I should be more specific. I would like to mount mine vertical, similar to like the T-38. I was thinking of using aluminum. fiberglass didn't cross my mind. That would be a good option. Thanks

[Jim Ellis]

I built a custom mount from aluminum channel for my AOA Sport panel mount display made by Advanced Flight Systems http://advanced-control-systems.com/...s/AOA/aoa.html.

It is designed so that the display can be vertical or, by laying it down, produce a heads-up-display (HUD) on the inside of the windscreen.

I am currently using it as a HUD. The leds were visible in almost all lighting conditions except head-on sunlight. I placed a small rectangle of silver window film on the inside of the plexiglas and now the display is easy to see in all conditions without obstructing forward vision.

The only picture I have is not great but here it is:



It is hard to know ahead of time where to mount the bracket so that the led's are vertical and in your line of sight. You need to activate the leds in test mode and move the bracket as needed. I used double stick tape to attach the bracket to the glare shield.

Jim Ellis
RV9-A, tipup
flying

[Ironflight]

Jim, that is a Great idea - I'm definitely gonna remember that....all sorts of things reflect in the windshield - why not make it something useful!

Note to self....add AOA system to Christmas list...

[Bill Palmer]

Jim,

Thanks for the Great Idea! In the picture you posted, I think I see the small rectangle of silver window film, but I'm not sure. Is there any chance you could post a shot of your installation from the pilot's perspective?

Thanks Again!

Bill Palmer
Chino Hills, CA
RV-8A In-Progress

[Jim Ellis]

Hi Bill,

These pictures might help:


Pilot's view of AOA Bracket.


Left side view of bracket.


Wiring from glare shield and reflective film. (I need to redo the film to get the bubbles out.)


Looking left of center. Leds can be seen even in bright sunlight. Note red on top and green on bottom of display.


Pilot's straight on view of AOA led display. Film allows continuous view outside.

Hope this helps.

Jim Ellis
RV9-A, tip-up
flying

[N788RV]

Wow that's an awesome idea. Do you think this same concept would work if it was just flush mounted on top of the glareshield instead of on the bracket to clean things up a bit or is the bracket necessary to get the correct angle? Also is that a glareshield mount or panel mount led. Could a guy get bye with a smaller piece of the window tape. I am building an RV-8 and assume it might not have to be as wide.

[Jim Ellis]

Thanks for the compliment, I'm glad you like the idea. I had a lot of fun doing it. Everyone who has seen it thinks a HUD for the Angle of Attack is a terrific idea. Having the AOA in your field of view during approach and landing is particularly useful.

My original plan was to mount the AOA panel mount display flush in the glare shield pointing up at the windscreen. Because of the compound curve of the windshield it is very difficult to position the led display so that the leds are correctly located and vertical with respect to your viewing position. It really took some trial and error to find the correct position. Slight changes can make a big difference. The mount allows you to swivel and tilt the display to get the reflected image you want.

In a way the elevated position turned out to be beneficial because the closer the display is the the windscreen the brighter image of the reflected leds.

The silver reflective film patch could be much smaller than I made it. I think a 1" x 2" would work, but you would have to place it in exactly the right spot relative to your eye position. A little larger size makes the display visible to both taller and shorter pilots.

I think the HUD presentation would look terrific in an RV8.

Jim Ellis
RV9-A, tipup
flying

[Bill Palmer]

Jim,

Thank You for the additional pictures and installation notes regarding your "Heads Up AOA." I'm going to try it!

Best Regards,

Bill Palmer