Originally Posted by
Fluglehrer
Doc, that's an erroneous assumption: just because you aren't familiar with military aviation doesn't mean the posters here aren't familiar with GA.
Maybe an AOA gauge wouldn't have been a "costly and redundant instrument" for this Mooney pilot at a critical instance:
https://vimeo.com/26640491
I'm sure he should have been better at visualizing the rapidly changing AOA as his thrust suddenly decreased to a negative value and increased AOA, his AOA increased due to bank and increased back pressure, and of course we can flog him for attempting to turn back in the first place. I'm sure his experiences weren't similar to yours or other GA experts, so he's the guy who actually might benefit from using this gauge in the pattern, especially during an emergency. Here's the rest of the story:
The "Impossible Turn" and Three Mooney Crashes in Two Weeks : Aviation Law Monitor
You don't think his stall horn was blaring? You actually think that somehow another instrument other than the low ASI, telling him the same thing while he yanks back on the yoke, would have made the difference?
I'm serious - I just don't think somebody who is going to act like this, (yes, he was startled, but that is why you mentally rehearse these things always) is going to benefit from another gauge telling him what he should already know. That's why Chuck Yeager, Dick Collins, and I feel this way. Perhaps envelope protection system may have helped, but those are still pretty rare in GA fleet. Training? Experience? Yes, both would likely help.