FAA Recommendations and Insights on AoA Indicators

Elevating Flight Safety through Better Stall Awareness

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to stress the importance of Angle of Attack (AoA) indicators as a vital tool for improving flight safety. On December 26, 2024, the FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-24-07, titled "Stall Warning System: Angle of Attack Alerting Systems." This bulletin strongly encourages the installation of AoA alerting systems in Part 23 aircraft as well as those operating under Parts 91, 121, and 135.

The FAA's endorsement highlights a critical insight: many fatal general aviation accidents stem from loss-of-control (LOC) during flight, often linked to stall events that could have been mitigated with better aerodynamic awareness. Accurate AoA/Absolute AoA indicators are one of the most effective tools available to address this safety gap.

The Role of Accurate AoA or Absolute AoA Indicators in Aviation Safety

Unlike traditional stall warning devices or airspeed indicators, an AoA system directly measures the relationship between a wing’s chord line and the oncoming airflow. It provides real-time, actionable data that reflects how close the wing is to critical AoA—the point where lift breaks down and a stall occur.

Why This Matters:

  • Airspeed isn’t always accurate – Stall speed changes depending on things like weight, turns, flaps, and altitude. Airspeed doesn’t show these changes.
  • AoA is constant and reliable –Angle of Attack reflects the wing’s lift capability under any condition. It provides direct aerodynamic feedback—regardless of configuration or external factors.
  • Real-time alerts allow pilots to respond quickly before performance is compromised.

By using Absolute AoA indicators, pilots can maintain a clear, continuous understanding of their aircraft’s lift status.

Insights from the Past: Why the FAA Recommends AoA

The call for widespread AoA adoption isn’t theoretical - it’s built on hard lessons from past aviation tragedies.

One key example is the Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash, which occurred on February 12, 2009, near Buffalo, NY. The loss of 50 lives was linked to a stall event triggered by the captain’s improper response to stick shaker activation. Investigations revealed multiple shortcomings:

  • to monitor airspeed
  • Poor adherence to sterile cockpit protocols
  • Inadequate flight control inputs

As a result, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued strong recommendations urging the FAA to require enhanced low-speed awareness systems. The FAA’s SAIB 2024-07 aligns with these recommendations by encouraging modern AoA-based alerting systems as a smarter, more responsive alternative to traditional stall warning horns or basic instrumentation.

Evolving from Legacy to Modern AoA Solutions

Angle of Attack (AoA) is key to safe flying in every phase of flight, but many older systems only give limited and delayed information, mostly just near stall.

In contrast, modern AoA systems utilize digital sensors, real-time computational models, and multi-configuration adaptability. Key features of today’s more accurate AoA or Absolute AoA solutions include:

  • Continuous AoA monitoring across all flight phases
  • Works well at any height, weight, or flap setting
  • Shows AoA clearly during climb, cruise, and glide
  • Detects flap position automatically — no cables needed
  • Stays accurate during takeoff, landing, and turns
  • Easy to install — no long tubes or complex setup
  • multiple display sizes and styles with touch screen functionality

These advancements allow pilots to fly with greater precision, earlier stall warning, and a higher margin of safety.

FAA's NORSEE Program and AoA Implementation

The FAA’s Non-Required Safety Enhancing Equipment (NORSEE) program plays a key role in the approval and adoption of AoA systems. Under this framework, aircraft owners and operators can legally install certain safety tools—such as AoA indicators—without the complexity of full certification processes.

This has accelerated innovation, reduced costs, and made Absolute AoA systems more accessible to a wider range of aircraft owners.

Accurate AoA or Absolute AoA Awareness: A Mindset Shift

Transitioning to an AoA-based safety strategy isn’t just about upgrading equipment—it’s about embracing a more proactive approach to flight.

With accurate AoA awareness, pilots can:

  • Make better decisions in changing flight conditions
  • Rely less on guesswork or old instruments
  • Control speed and lift more effectively during key moments

Whether you're flying IFR cross-country or doing a soft-field landing in a taildragger, accurate AoA gives you insight that airspeed never can.