How does the Alpha Indicator work?

[SHaines]

At risk of sounding really ignorant... I have been trying to find out what the gadget on top of the glareshield in the TBM900 is and how to use it properly. I looked through all of the available manuals and other documents for the aircraft but cannot find anything on this implement. If someone has a link to what this is and how it works I would greatly appreciate it. 

Note... I have subsequently learned that this device is an "angle of attack" indicator or "Alpha Indicator". How it works and how to "read" the various indications within it is still a mystery to me. If anyone has that information... Thanks. 

Edited April 20, 2020 by SHaines

[Goran_M]

The fewer the bars, the lower the AoA.  In normal cruise, 1 green bar is optimal AoA.  While in the green, the aircraft will not stall, and you will not get a warning.  While in the yellow bars, a stall is approaching/imminent.  Red bars indicate the aircraft is stalling and action needs to be taken to recover.

 

[SHaines]

Thank you Goran. Good info which I will add to my rapidly growing TBM notebook. This is one heck of a sim airplane. I love it.