Originally Posted by
Mad (Flt) Scientist
Actually, it wouldn't be (and indeed, isn't!)
John Farley's remark that automated systems expect AoA as an input is correct, but FBW systems also can have gains and such as a function of AoA; most autopilot systems don't, to my knowledge, use AoA as a control parameter.
Several autoland systems, to the best of my knowledge, use AOA as a control parameter and adjust descent rate using direct lift control methods. Carrier based systems (present and future) are predicated on AOA, although I suspect I'm diverging from the 'civil' nature of the thread... :>