Apparatus and method of indicating stall using proximity sensing

A stall indicator for use on an aircraft comprises: a structure for mounting a housing at a leading edge of a wing of the aircraft; a paddle disposed to air flow at the leading edge of the wing and movable in response to the air flow; and a proximity sensor disposed at the housing for detecting movement of the paddle at a sensing area. Also disclosed is a method of indicating when an aircraft is approaching a stall condition comprising the steps of: permitting a paddle, disposed at a leading edge of a wing of the aircraft, movement with respect to a sensing area in response to air flow at the wing; detecting movement of the paddle by proximity sensing with electrical energy in the vicinity of the sensing area; and effecting an electrical signal representative of the detected movement of the paddle, which signal being indicative of an approaching stall condition at the wing.