Caution About AoA Indexer
Glad Rag, again, I need to caution everyone here who has not routinely flown AoA, AoA indications at approach speeds assist in quite precise pitch control, but not at cruise speeds because AoA changes very little with airspeed at the higher speeds. It's a bit like balancing on a bowling ball. It's possible but not easy.
LW50: Yes, the indexer ordinarily is activated only with the gear down, but that could be changed, of course. On the other hand, the typical AoA indicator would certainly give the pilot an indication of AoA which was near stall.
Would I like to see an AoA indicator installed and used in transport aircraft? YES! Proper use of an AoA indicator might have prevented this accident. Of course, so could some other things.