[NSRCA-discussion] Visual wings level indicator?

[Mark Hunt]

What about bright LED's buried in the wingtips?


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anthony Abdullah" <aabdu at sbcglobal.net>
To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2008 15:53
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Visual wings level indicator?


>I will never be mistaken for a world class pattern flyer. There are many 
>reasons for that, but the two bigggies are as follows;
>
> 1. I have three left thumbs, four of which are retarded. Other than 
> questionable math skills, practice will help me with this one to a degree.
>
> 2. After a Lasik surgery that went terribly wrong and several return 
> visits to the eye doctor, I just don't see very well, and practice doesn't 
> seem to be helping that.
>
> My biggest problem is telling when I am wings level at altitude just 
> before I enter a maneuver. I find myself practicing little work arounds 
> like dropping my inside wing then rolling back to what I think should be 
> wings level. In the end I enter and exit a LOT of maneuvers without my 
> wings level.
>
> I was wondering if there was something I could do with the color scheme of 
> my new airplane to help me determine when the wings were level or very 
> close to it. What I was thinking was some kind of high vis, or low vis (as 
> long as there is contrast) shape on the wing tip. In my mind I see a 
> concept like lining up the sights of a rifle where when the wings were 
> level from the ground view I would see a solid color or a certain amount 
> of a high vis color that lets me know that my wings are level.
>
> I know there are a ton of variables like altitude, light levels, heading, 
> etc, but having an additional clue that would be visible at "normal" 
> pattern altitude would be great. Something I can get used to seeing that 
> would let me know I am just about there.
>
> Has anyone ever experimented with something like this before? What are the 
> best colors and shapes to use? Is the whole idea a waste of time? All 
> thoughts are welcome.
>
> Thanks for your input.
> Anthony
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