AOA-one of the best instruments
AOA provides an excellent cross-check to optimize performance and safety in almost all aspects of flight! It is useful in monitoring the margin above stall speed throughout the entire envelope. It is also a quick reference for setting max endurance, max range, approach speeds, and best climb angle speeds.
AOA, unlike airspeed, gives the same indication of stall regardless of weight or AOB. Since apparent weight increases with AOB, stall speed increases in a level turn, but most people don't relate increased AOB with increase stall speed, hence the dreaded approach-turn stall. The AOA indicator gives you the indication of where you are at at that moment, whereas each AOB has a different stall airspeed. Much easier to look at one instrument and see exactly where you are than interpret an airspeed.
For the landing pattern, AOA allows you to fly one instrument and therefore not have to worry about changes in weight, flap position or AOB. No need to worry about different landing speeds at gross or near-empty weight or if you forget to set the flaps.
Great tool that I will have in my airplane.
Take care,
Jim
