Ground effects compensated angle of attack command system and method

A method for generating a ground effects compensated angle of attack signal during a takeoff of an aircraft comprising the steps of:

• providing a radio altimeter and an angle of attack vane for generating signals indicative of an aircraft's altitude and angle of attack at indicated altitudes from weight off wheels to an altitude of about ½ the wing span of the aircraft;
• generating a ground effects compensation signal representative of ground effects between weight off wheels and an altitude of about ½ the wing span of the aircraft;
• and
• adding the ground effects compensation signal to the angle of attack signal for altitudes between weight off wheels and an altitude which is equal to about ½ the wing span of the aircraft.

A method for generating a ground effects compensated angle of attacks signal during a takeoff of an aircraft comprising the steps of:

• providing a radio altimeter and an angle of attack vane for generating signals indicative of an aircraft's altitude and angle of attack;
• sensing the weight off wheels during the takeoff of the aircraft;
• generating a signal indicative of the aircraft's altitude and angle of attack at indicated altitudes between weight off wheels and an altitude of about ½ the wing span of the aircraft;
• generating a ground effects compensation signal representative of ground effects between weight off wheels and an altitude which is equal to about ½ the wing span of the aircraft;
• and
• combining the signals indicative of the aircraft's angle of attack and the ground effects compensation signal to thereby provide a ground effect compensated angle of attack system.