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October 1, 2014 - Garmin announced it has begun
shipping its Angle of Attack (AOA) system. AOA
has been approved by the FAA for installation in
a wide variety of general aviation aircraft.
The AOA system is comprised of the GI 260 AOA
indicator, GAP 26 angle of attack probe and GSU
25 air data computer, which combine to display
safety-enhancing AOA and audible alerts
throughout critical phases of flight.
Angle of attack, despite sounding a bit
dramatic, is defined as the acute angle between
the chord line of the airfoil and the direction
of the relative wind. In a high angle of attack
situation, the wing of an airplane begins to
lose lift and in some cases, can potentially
stall. Failure to recognize this while in flight
can result in an abrupt loss of altitude and if
not handled properly, loss of aircraft control.
More commonly seen on military and commercial
aircraft, Angle of Attack (AOA) indicators are
now becoming the topic of conversation among
general aviation. The FAA announced in February
that it plans to make the installation of angle
of attack indicators in GA aircraft easier.
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