Angle of Attack as an Aid to Flying

Application of the early ideas of Wilbur and Orville Wright, in regards to angle of incidence, has provided the Navy with an effective method of controlling airplane approach and landing speeds. The current Navy angle-of-attack systems have commercial applications for use in landing, clear air turbulence, stall warning and other flight regimes. The most important application of the angle-of-attack, to date, has been its use with automatic throttle for control of speed in approaches and landings. The angle-of-attack system provides optimum reference for auto-throttle operation regardless of aircraft weight, bank angle, flap settings, “g” loading and engines in operation.