Photo Courtesy of Textron/Cessna Aviation
Check out this exciting new update from Cessna Aviation, regarding the addition of Safe Flight AOA to new Skyhawk models!
Beginning with model year 2016 deliveries in January, Textron Aviation added the Safe Flight angle-of-attack (AOA) system to the Cessna 172S Skyhawk. The AOA system is standard on new Skyhawks, including the diesel engine Turbo JT-A that will enter service early next year, and it is a $5,000 option on the 182T Skylane and Turbo Stationair HD T206H.
AIN senior editor Matt Thurber tried out the Skyhawk AOA system during a flight with demonstration pilot Dale Bleakney at Textron Aviation headquarters in Wichita.
Single-engine Cessnas are still fitted with the tried-and-true suction-type stall-warning horn, which relies on the vacuum created at the leading edge of the left wing to suck air through a reed that generates noise to announce the approach to stall. The new Skyhawk is equipped with Safe Flight’s AOA lift transducer mounted on the right wing leading edge and the AOA indicator (Indexer Computer) mounted on top of the cockpit glareshield on the left side of the compass. The AOA system is calibrated to deliver accurate indications in any configuration and at any speed, including during slips. Whether in an accelerated cross-control stall or a straight-ahead power-off stall with flaps up or down, at any weight, wing loading or cg, the indicator will accurately show the actual AOA.
This article originally posted on AINOnline.com.
