It's been a busy six months or so, and our team of volunteers has been working hard to fully develop the Gen 2 AOA system. Our latest addition is an overload warning system (OWS) that provides warning when the pilot reaches the G limit of the airplane. It works for both symmetric and asymmetric (rolling) G conditions, and provides a simple "G Limit" verbal cue when you hit the limit. We added a training mode to the OWS system, so that you can experiment or teach without exceeding G limits. Our current OWS asymmetric logic is similar to that used by the military and is based on a % of maximum roll rate; but we are looking at a better vector based solution using the other axis of motion. And, courtesy of Vern Little, we've got a nifty, inexpensive (less than fifty bucks) "energy display" for folks that want some sort of visual cuing in addition to the audio. The display provides performance-based AOA information along with IAS and G--everything you need to maneuver the airplane at a glance.
We had a huge "ding, ding, ding" moment about a week ago, where we cracked the code on accurately measuring post-stall AOA up to 50 degrees (about the most I can generate in the RV-4) using differential pressure as well as what appears to be a universal algorithm that will work with any AOA probe (Alpha Systems, Dynon or Garmin). We are also progressing with development of an automatic calibration routine and beta (sideslip) correction for angle of attack using the IMU in the Gen 2 box.
To keep from clogging up Doug's pipes, we post regular updates in a blog on our website:
https://www.flyonspeed.org/blog
Once we've wrung out auto calibration a bit; we'll start general beta test. We'll let our VAF family know about that here as soon as we're ready. In the mean time, we've also got a group of talented folks "homebuilding" systems and helping us develop documentation and improve the WiFi interface, and I'd like to thank them for their contribution to the project!
Our organic development team continues to grow--an excellent example of what's turned into a great collaborative "self-help" effort. Thanks to Doug, as always--we couldn't do this without our VAF family.
Cheers,
Vac