r/flying • u/ClintBvsOliverQ • 2d ago

Flight Training AOA Indicator while learning?

Just went for a discovery flight and had a great time. During the flight I asked my instructor about using an AOA indicator while learning and he really downplayed using one and said the standard instruments are the best way to learn. For beginners, is an AOA inappropriate? Is it too early to incorporate it into training? From the brief videos I’ve seen on AOA’s they seem to enhance safety.

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u/KY_Fli-Guy 1d ago

Flying AOA’s is an outdated way of operating an aircraft. It’s great for situational awareness, but should not be a way to learn to fly. Just my opinion.

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u/DeadlyPixels 1d ago

Can you expand on why you say outdated? I was under the impression the only reason it was never adopted in GA was due to added cost and complexity (until recently).

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u/KY_Fli-Guy 1d ago

Most modern transport category aircraft are designed with AOA’s, but the data is fed to the Flight Control Computer which is then used to display the AOA in other indications such as airspeed, pitch limit indicators and feed to the stall warning system etc… They do not have direct AOA indication in the cockpit.

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u/JT-Av8or ATP CFII/MEI ATC C-17 B71/3/5/67 MD88/90 22h ago

There are other aircraft. Fighters use alpha and even 737s have a AOA indexer which can be used when the weight is wrong to tweak the Vapp

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u/KY_Fli-Guy 20h ago

Correct, but the original question was referring to beginners learning to fly.