On Nov 3, 4:25*am, ContestID67 wrote:
I have noticed that there are lots of sports that also use variometers
and I have some comments/questions.

These variometers are for Power Parachutes, Hang Gliders, Balloons,
Ultralights, Parafoils to name a few. *Here are some links;

* *http://www.ascentvario.com/
* *http://digiflyuk.com
* *http://brauniger.com
* *http://flytec.com
* *http://www.aircotec.ch

These are all standalone "outside the cockpit" variometers. *I don't
know about their realiability or sensitivity how well these might work
"inside a cockpit". *What I am impressed with is the innovative design
and feature sets of these devices.

Why don't these manufacturers build for our sport? *Is it that soaring
aircraft are bound by archaic rules and regulations that other newer
flying sports are not? * I suppose we all ask ourselves the same
questions about why our sport isn't seen as trendy and hip.

As I understand it, variometers for gliders need total energy
compensation for the information they provide to be reasonably
accurate. You can't fly fast and pull up in the kinds of craft you
mention. Thus, designing a variometer for a glider is a more
complicated matter than one for a balloon.

In addition gliders come under the aegis of EASA (in the EU) which
means that new instruments have to be certified, though whatever was
fitted when the glider was transitioned in was accepted.