CYA-100 AOA

[David Mazer]

I recently installed a General Techniques CYA-100 AOA in my Rocket.  The CYA-100 uses a different system than the Alpha Systems version and it is much simpler to install and costs a lot less ($400).  I installed it myself under the watchfull eye of my IA.  It works great.

 

I have a short movie of it initializing but I can't upload it and I don't want to put in open view since it has my tail number visible.  Any suggestions how to load it on MooneySpace?

[piperpainter]

Why so worried about your N number? We already know it! 

[Marauder]

Why so worried about your N number? We already know it!

And where you live too! Kidding aside, you should be able to distort it in a video if you have any decent video editor.

[David Mazer]

Sorry, I wasn't clear about the video.  I didn't want to put it some place like youtube where it would be openly distributed.  I was planning on putting it here but don't know how.

[RocketAviator]

David,

Where were you when I spent all that money on my Alpha AOA.....?  I would be very interested in knowing how it performs, keep us posted.   Also curious how is your unit calibrated?

 

I am a big fan of AOA's for added saftey...  I say that quietly here sometimes...

 

I looked however only briefly considered creating one myself there are several internet home built versions out there, technology is or at least can be very simple for the ones I looked at using differential pressure and or vane feedback and in my business I use that type of components on a regular basis!  In the end and mainly because YOU did not tell me of your sweet option ended up going with the Alpha...

 

Fly safe,  

[chrisk]

Do let us know how you like it, and if you found any surprises with it.  I like it and would be interested.   How long did it take you to install it?  Did you have to put a doubler on the back of the inspection plate?  --Mine seem to bend a bit.

 

I'm also curious about the legalities of installing one of these.  Unfortunately, I don't know the legal bounds of what is legal to install on my plane and and what is not.   So, I usually error on the cautious side.   In this case, I'd probably ask for a field approval.

 

 

Under the companies FAQ. 

 

WILL I NEED A FIELD APPROVAL TO INSTALL THE CYA-100?
        PROBABLY NOT. THE FAA HAS ESTABLISHED THAT SIMILAR COMPETITIVE DEVICES MAY BE INSTALLED WITH JUST A LOG BOOK ENTRY.

IS THE CYA-100 BUILT UNDER PMA OR TSO?
        NO.  GENERAL TECHNICS HAS OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE DESIGN OF MILITARY AVIONICS, AND WE DESIGNED THE CYA-100 TO MEET THE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS OF MIL-STD-810, REV. G.

[David Mazer]

Lacee, the unit calibrates easily.  Turn the unit off, establish a climb, push a button and turn on the unit, wait for it to initialize, establish slow flight just above stall, push the button again two times quickly.  The unit rests and your done.  No adjusting the probe with multiple flights.  I have calibrated it twice (I accidently pushed the calibration button while on the ground requiring re-calibration) and found the closer to stall you are when pushing the button the second time, the better.

 

Chrisk, no backing plate was required.  The total force on the vane is only 0.7 lbs at 250 kts and the unit weighs only 56 gm or 2 oz.  Three small holes need to be drilled for the screws and the wires.  I haven't found any deflection on the inspection plate but my top speed with it so far is still under 200 kts TAS.  The FAA has recently decided it likess AOAs and has given Alpha Systems a blanket exemption which is attached to the CYA-100 documentation and General Technics is working with the FAA to provide a similar letter for the CYA-100.

 

The unit works as advertized.  No surprises and it really has helped me slow down on approach.  I used to shoot for 75-78 over the fence, solo, and the CYA-100 indicates I should be closer to 71.  Seven knots may not seem like a lot but my ground roll and tendancy to float is substantially reduced and I'm more comoftable knowing where I am on the base to final turn with it.

[DonMuncy]

I can't tell from the pictures. Does the CYA-100 read out digitally, lights, needle, or other.

[gsxrpilot]

Wow, if I was going to get one of these, I should have done it before Aircraft Spruce got ahold of it.  Last year it was $395 direct, now it's $625 exclusively from AS.

[wishboneash]

I can't tell from the pictures. Does the CYA-100 read out digitally, lights, needle, or other.

 

 

It has LED lights green through red. Simple to install and calibrate. It also has a tone which can play through your audio panel when the airspeed/AoA falls below your set limit.

[David Mazer]

You can also wire it directly to your headset so only the pilot hears it but then you have to use resistors for volume control and it isn't adjustable.

[chrisk]

Wow, if I was going to get one of these, I should have done it before Aircraft Spruce got ahold of it.  Last year it was $395 direct, now it's $625 exclusively from AS.

 

This is why I don't have one in my plane.  Late last year I was ready to spring for the $400, but I discovered it was at AS exclusively.  And for some reason $400 didn't sound so bad, and $625 feels expensive.   I guess I'll wait another year or two to see what else shows up..

[alex]

The local avionics shop wants $3500 to install....they are out of their minds!

[Piloto]

What is the added safety value of the CYA-100 device over the existing stall warning in the plane?

 

José

[alex]

I'm not contesting the added value, I'm saying that based on the amount of work that needs to be done the price quoted is unreasonable, this is with me buying the AOA separately.

[DonMuncy]

I agree, $3500 is much too high. It actually takes more hours than one might think to run the wires, etc., but not enough to support that number.

[carusoam]

Ask the OP how much effort it took him...

3.5 AMU seems like there is something different than installing this device.

If I remember...

(1) Drilling a hole in an inspection panel to mount the sensor.

(2) Running wires.

(3) Mount the indicator in the panel.

(4) Set up the sensor by pushing buttons while flying.

Did you ask for something different than this?

Best regards,

-a-

[alex]

Nope.....just installation of CYA-100. They said it was a big job, the interior had to be taken out and the wires had to be run through the wing.

[ArtVandelay]

Nope.....just installation of CYA-100. They said it was a big job, the interior had to be taken out and the wires had to be run through the wing.

You should find out what it would cost to do it at annual time, since interior, panels are already removed, call your mechanic

[alex]

I'm having avionics work done and I thought since it was there I'd have them do it but I quickly changed my mind. I can't wait to see my current bill, it should be plump.

[kmyfm20s]

Sounds like your shop is going for home runs instead of the base hits. They might have experience with the Alpha systems AOA and are basing there quote on that. I just happen to be talking today with my Avionics shop today and they had experience with Alpha systems and Garmin. They said that the Alpha system require a lot of time because of the calibration. It required several flights and it was a PIA. They said the Garmin was simple to calibrate and required by far the least amount of time of the 2 systems. They didn't have any experience with the CYA-100 so couldn't give any input.

[Tommy]

Can I just ask if it is possible to replace the existing stall warning system with AOA? Or they must co-exist?

[carusoam]

Stall warning is required...

Similar to the CHT gauge...

There may be better modern technology, but these things need to exist until a better primary system comes along...

FAA guidance for N registered airplanes...

Best regards,

-a-

[Awqward]

Tommy, in general, anything specified in the Type Certificate Design Specification (TCDS) can only be altered with a Supplementary Type Certifcate (STC).....of which there is not one for these units...

You should really have a copy of the TCDS for the M20 series in your library....I can email you one if you like...

[David Mazer]

The local avionics shop wants $3500 to install....they are out of their minds!

They are completely out of their minds.  I installed the unit myself, under the supervision of an IA, and there was no way it took more than 5 or 6 hours (not including installing in the panel itself).  At $100/hr and adding 100%, that is only $1,200.  Find another shop whom you can trust!