PowerFlarm Declaration

[Karl Kunz]

Is there a way to declare to a portable PowerFlarm or do you just use written declaration with the IGC file?

[Dan Daly]

On Jun 7, 2:56 pm, Karl Kunz <karlkun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Is there a way to declare to a portable PowerFlarm or do you just use written declaration with the IGC file?

Modify your flarmcfg.txt file. Use free flarm config tool software -
http://www.segelflug-software.de/prod_flarmcfgtool.html. Change the
waypoint file using the file of your country (most are in the
software). Select your task waypoints. Push button to make a
flarmcfg.txt file on your microSD card. Insert microSD card into your
portable. Power up.

If your desired waypoints aren't in the country waypoint file, you may
have to edit the waypoint.fln file.

You may be able to declare directly from a PDA. I am able to create
declarations in XC Soar, and send to my PowerFLARM Core/Brick via an
IOIO card and android phone.

Either way gets a valid IGC declaration into my PowerFLARM. Easiest/
cheapest is via microSD or USB flarmcfg.txt file.

[Karl Kunz]

I believe the European Flarm is different then the US PowerFlarm. Does this work with US version.

[Dan Daly]

It does in Canada with a Brick - same as US. FLARM file is the same
no matter what hardware it is on.

[Dan Daly]

########################################################################
# declaration
########################################################################

//Task declaration
$PFLAC,S,NEWTASK,12may13
$PFLAC,S,ADDWP,4053033N,07754433W,Ridge So
$PFLAC,S,ADDWP,4102167N,07735883W,Howard D
$PFLAC,S,ADDWP,4039767N,07813100W,Tyrone Gp
$PFLAC,S,ADDWP,4108033N,07721233W,Lock Hav
$PFLAC,S,ADDWP,3941733N,07845850W,Quarry3
$PFLAC,S,ADDWP,4053033N,07754433W,Ridge So

Here's a 500 I declared from Ridge Soaring Gliderport using it from my
flarmconfig.txt file using the software.

[Karl Kunz]

Thanks Dan, I'll give it a try.

[disc...@gmail.com]

Have you had your Flarm calibrated to use is for a badge declaration?

[Karl Kunz]

It was serviced for a recall just a few months ago and sealed per IGC so I assume it was also calibrated.

[Andy]

On Jun 7, 7:13 pm, Karl Kunz <karlkun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> It was serviced for a recall just a few months ago and sealed per IGC so I assume it was also calibrated.

Neither of mine is calibrated and one was recently modified under a
recall notice.

It may be ok to calibrate after the event, or calibration may not even
be required. Check the rules for whatever flight you are attempting!

Andy

[Paul Remde]

Hi Karl,

FLARM did not calibrate the PowerFLARM units when manufactured. They still
do not calibrate new units before shipment. They don't think many customers
need it. The units were not calibrated during the recall updates.

I can calibrate them here. I ask customers if they want them calibrated
before shipment.

The calibration only needs to be done of you want to use it to validate
badge and record flights or use it in international competitions. It can be
calibrated after the flight for many badge and record flights.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
___________________________________

"Karl Kunz" wrote in message
news:3b6bc1b2-5ffd-4a5d...@googlegroups.com...

[son_of_flubber]

On Saturday, June 8, 2013 3:00:29 PM UTC-4, Paul Remde wrote:
> FLARM did not calibrate the PowerFLARM units when manufactured.

How could a collision avoidance device that uses position and flight path possibly do it's job if it were not "calibrated"?

Does "IGC/FAI Calibration" involve sending a fee to IGC/FAI?

[Paul Remde]

Hi Tim,

I think we're talking about 2 different uses of the word "calibrated". As
stated below, the manufacturer must calibrate the sensor so that it
accurately measures altitude. I'm sure FLARM does that before the
PowerFLARM units ship.

The other use of the word calibrated as it applies to IGC approved flight
recorders is referring to the creation of a calibration trace that can be
used to correct for sensor errors at different altitudes when analyzing a
flight recording from the unit. The calibration trace must be re-done every
2 years. Just because FLARM doesn't provide a calibration trace doesn't
mean that they didn't calibrate the sensor before the unit shipped.

I think the FLARM products are the only IGC approved flight records that are
not provided with a factory calibration trace. However, I suppose that
customers that don't care about the calibration trace would prefer to not
pay for it.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

_____________________________________

"Tim Newport-Peace" wrote in message
news:n4C+ZUAu...@spsys.demon.co.uk...

X-no-archive: yes

Paul,

It is part of the Flight Recorder Specification that they should reach
certain minimal parameters. It says:

4.4.5 Calibration - correction tolerances. The pressure altitude sensor
adjustments must be set by the manufacturer so that the output
in the IGC file corresponds closely to IGC/FAI pressure altitude (the
ICAO International Standard Atmosphere, Document 7488
tables 3 and 4).

Anyone being delivered of a Flight Recorder that does not meet these
minima would seem to have reasonable grounds for complaint.


In article <kovuo6$gad$1...@dont-email.me>, Paul Remde <pa...@remde.us>
writes

Tim Newport-Peace t...@spsys.demon.co.uk

"Indecision is the Key to Flexibility."

[Andy]

>
> It uses (mainly) GPS Altitude. Pressure Altitude is used in it's Flight
> Recorder function.
>

GPS altitude should be used for the FLARM function but I sure hope GPS
altitude is not used for alerting of transponder targets. Transponder
altitude squawk is pressure altitude and any receiving system must use
internal pressure altitude, or own ship squawked altitude if
transponder equipped, to determine altitude difference.

Andy

[gerhar...@gmail.com]

> GPS altitude should be used for the FLARM function but I sure hope GPS
>
> altitude is not used for alerting of transponder targets. Transponder

Yes. We do subtract apples from apples, and oranges from oranges, no worries :)

Best
--Gerhard (FLARM dev mgr)