Legitimate to use AoA meter for controlling flare?

[davidlondon 0]

Is it correct RW practice to use the clock-type AoA meter to monitor pitch increase in the flare as opposed to AI, which feels less accurate? I appreciate that attitude and AoA are not the same thing ... but I am finding it easier simwise to use AoA numerical readout for (e.g.) + 1-degree pitch up, than the AI or just eyeballing the end of the runway. But like to avoid phoney practice if possible! What does the team think? Thanks and best wishes, David

[c402_cvs 0]

AoA and pitch attitude would very rarely, if ever be the same value.

[davidlondon 0]

Thanks, yes, "c402_cvs": I do understand that AoA and pitch attitude are not the same and therefore may rarely be the same value. But my question is not quite that. It's whether, given a stable landing configuration, AoA and pitch attitude are perfectly correlated, i.e. if AoA increases by 1 degree, will pitch attitude increase by 1 degree - and therefore might AoA indication be legitimately used to control accurate pitch changes during the flare. I am also aware that one of the issues in the flare is tailstrike, which is a function of pitch, so I could understand why there is no mention of AoA in landing narrative in the manuals. Nevertheless, I just wondered wihether in RW AoA indication was used in controlling those minutes degrees of incremental pitch in the flare ...? Best wishes to all. David

[Big_Les 1]

Thanks, yes, "c402_cvs": I do understand that AoA and pitch attitude are not the same and therefore may rarely be the same value. But my question is not quite that. It's whether, given a stable landing configuration, AoA and pitch attitude are perfectly correlated, i.e. if AoA increases by 1 degree, will pitch attitude increase by 1 degree - and therefore might AoA indication be legitimately used to control accurate pitch changes during the flare. I am also aware that one of the issues in the flare is tailstrike, which is a function of pitch, so I could understand why there is no mention of AoA in landing narrative in the manuals. Nevertheless, I just wondered wihether in RW AoA indication was used in controlling those minutes degrees of incremental pitch in the flare ...? Best wishes to all. David

I don't think its usual to use AOA in civil aircraft for approach and flare. However, military jets (fighters) do use it for approach and landing in some cases (UK Tornado is one case) They call it "Alpha"

[davidlondon 0]

I don't think its usual to use AOA in civil aircraft for approach and flare. However, military jets (fighters) do use it for approach and landing in some cases (UK Tornado is one case) They call it "Alpha"

Mmm, thanks, Paul.