Originally Posted by
Loose rivets
Vilters, If I had to stab an an answer, it would be that the vane is a better instrument, in all that means in science. The output is infinitely variable, and, at least until it reaches an analogue to digital black box, fairly hard to corrupt. Okay, so why the more modern detection?
It would probably have a lot to do with the bearings and cogs technology being unsuitable for frequent high g forces. Once we get into the realms of 9 g, gut feeling is, it becomes an entirely unsuitable mechanism.
OK, here we go.
AOA sensors with a vane can be bend, touched by ground equipment, torn off by birdstrikes or other FOD, freeze due to the vane sticking to the fuselage (very little space between vane and fuselage), and so on.
Pressure AOA probes don't have any of these issues.
We are 2019, and even the (in late 70's new F-15 / F-16) are becoming obsolete FAST.
Does the F-22 or F-35 have any of these? No they don't any more and they need a far more accurate AOA input then commercial airframes.
How many more funerals before we replace these 50 year old technology vane AOA sensors in our 2019 airplanes?