PIREP CYA 100 AOA

[Bennett]

Well I finally had LASAR install the CYA 100 AOA bought in our group purchase last year. I like the way that LASAR mounted the vane strut on an underwing inspection plate.  Very neat installation - photo to be posted tomorrow. The indicator is mounted alongside the vertical card compass, and is directly in my line of sight looking forward.  The LED lights are very bright and easily seen in sunlight. The indicator unit is small and light. I wish that Rip would make a case for it as an extra cost option. I think I will cover the indicator's sides with thin black leather, as I find the black electrical tape used at this point to be offensive, though practical.  

 

The unit works exactly as represented.  The calibration is straightforward, and the flashing red light at the bottom of the indicator stack starts just at the point of stall. While the blinking light would be hard to miss, the warbling tone into the headset could wake the dead. The installation instructions talk of adding a resistor (50,000 or 100,000 Ohms) into the audio circuit to reduce the sound level, and I will have this done. I am also going to have one of my spare rocker switches used as an ON /OFF switch, as the current warbling sound on the ground is intolerable to my ears. Since the vane itself is not counterweighted, after landing (and during taxI) the vane might end up in a position that triggers the warble.  The switch will simply allow me to turn the unit on when I roll up to the the runway, and turn it off when I turn off the runway. No big deal as it will become part of my takeoff and post landing checklists.

 

I really like the way the lights progress with changes in AOA, and I think it will prove to be an excellent safety device.   The installation costs were less than I had thought they would be. 

[Marauder]

Thanks for the PIREP Bennett. If this cold snap ever breaks, I will get mine calibrated!

[ArtVandelay]

Are you sure it won't affect the compass?

[M016576]

Beauty!

Instead of a on/off switch, maybe a weight on wheels switch? That way you wouldn't forget to turn it on. Just thinking out loud...

[Bennett]

Are you sure it won't affect the compass?

We tested the compass with the AOA. Unit on or off, and saw no difference. Franky, I was surprised, but LASAR checked with Rip who told them that the current drawn by the AOA.indicator would not affect the compass. Others have mounted their indicators in the same place without problems.

[jetdriven]

Have a photo of the vane? That indicator is slick

[Bennett]

Have a photo of the vane? That indicator is slick

Photo of vane assembly on inspection plate will be posted tomorrow when I get to my hangar.

[Dave Marten]

Let us know how you like flying with it. In my opinion the CYA-100's display is inverted compared to all other AoA systems I've flown. For me an easy fix would be to flip the indicator so that an increase in AoA corresponds with an increase on the display with red (max) limit on top. Sorry, low AoA/high speed indication at the top of the display is troubling my gyros.

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20140011419.pdf

[chrisk]

When I look at the current prices, it makes me wish I had gotten in on the group buy.

[rocketman]

I just had this installed on my Bravo and will give my opinion in an upcoming post. The nice thing about this AOA is the ease of installation. It's all electric so there is no need to run an air pressure tubing from the wing to the cockpit. Electric wires is much much simpler.

[carusoam]

Nice Pirep/photo Bennet.

Thank you,

-a-

[Danb]

Nice place for in zi have my Bk aoa just left of there

[201er]

Great to know that people are taking aoa seriously. I am curious what indications are used for Vx and Vy?

[Bob_Belville]

I posted these pics on another thread and the subject line did not reference AoA or CYA.

 

I wanted the display in the panel and the probe within the 5" height of the post detailed in the installation instructions (even though Rip said that several Mooney installations were done on an access plate which is about 13" behind the leading edge.) I also wired the power through a new 1A CB. I wired the audio directly to the pilot head set jack with a 10k resistor. That was plenty to lower the volume in my setup.

 

I set the upper limit at about 90 kts. I've only flown once since the install and I was by myself so I kinda chickened out on the approach to stall and set the low end at about 60 kts. I hope to reset that quite a bit lower first chance I get but I think the system is going to be very nice. 

[wishboneash]

I had mine installed last year. Since then I have had the audio connected to the GMA340. The latter part I thought was the most involved and had it done at Executive Autopilots in Sacramento. I pull the 1A breaker when I am on the ground to avoid the warbling sound, although a switch that senses the plane is airborne would be a nice option.

 

Some pictures below... (the wiring to the display is now hidden and not as ugly!)

http://mooneyspace.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=user_activity&search_app=gallery&mid=8720&userMode=all&sid=f3663d59dbdea0a9fd288b13ad81bcf3

[Andy95W]

Any airspeed loss from having the AoA probe out there?

I try not to add antennas to avoid adding drag. If the AoA is negligible for speed loss, I may be installing it at my next annual.

[Bob_Belville]

It is extremely negligible. I'm thinking a strategically placed pigeon turd would create more drag.

 

http://www.ackemma.com/tech.html

1.1.1     Mechanical

     The 56 gram (two ounce) TAOA-100-2 vane probe is a streamlined aluminum extrusion. At an airspeed of 250 knots, the TAOA-100-2 has a drag of less than 0.7 pound. The vane probe must be mounted in undisturbed air, at least 18 inches outside of the propeller arc, and preferably at least 4 inches from the wing tip. The vane probe must be mounted as far forward under the wing as possible (no more than 4 inches aft of the wing leading edge). The vane assembly is mass balanced to very close tolerances, and must never be painted.

[Andy95W]

Thanks, Bob. I think I'll be installing one in the next few months.

[Bennett]

I test flew the airplane again today. To answer various questions: I have the lower "speed" set to the stall speed at gross weight, and the upper speed at Vy. This means that I will see an orange/yellow light in my departure climb out. It is my usual profile to initially climb at Vx, tuck up the gear (and flaps at 500' AGL from my sea level airport) and climb at Vy to about 1500' AGL, and then to cruise climb, terrain permitting. Landing the red blinking light (and warbling tone) came on just as the stall horn sounded, and the mains touched down - same as the last time. I really like this unit.

I covered the indicator in black leather, which is much more esthetically pleasing than the prior black electrical tape.

The other two photos are of the vane unit.

[Dave Marten]

 

OK, now all is right with the world. Low AoA/high speed on bottom. Whew. Enjoy!

[gsxrpilot]

I gotta have one.  The only question is do I wait until the annual or get it done now? The annual's not until August, I think now is better.

[mikerocosm]

I really love mine. I installed it when I re-did my panel a year ago, and it sits right in front of my face at the top of the panel. It goes pretty much unnoticed until the lights come on. My pattern turns are slower now, with confidence.

 

It's worth noting that the customer service from Rip Quinby (the designer/maker) is terrific.