On Aug 8, 9:00*am, Dave Hoppe wrote:
I find it odd that there's no posts regarding the first-time use of
PowerFlarm in a US contest. Surely they're all flying with them.

Part of the reason is that google groups was dead for a while and many
(like me) gave up. rest day, google back, you may get more feedback.

The unit is slick and intuitive. Very professional-looking. Yes, it
chews up batteries. Also the battery indicator is not that reliable.
Put in new batteries every day no matter what. For rental, go buy a
bucket of batteries. For permanent installations, power it externally
or go for rechargeables. (Rental might want to go rechargeable too).

The major issue is where to put it. As expected the power flarm is a
tad bulky for a tape it in and go installation. That's why we clamored
for and got the brick.

The good news is that tape it in and go is possible and works
reasonably well. The rental program should work out fine. I got mine
the night before the contest and installed it in the half hour before
grid time.

It's a bit tougher on Schleicher gliders. The only place I've seen
anyone manage to put it (including mine) is sideways on the left hand
side of the glareshield. This isn't optimal since the GPS is pointing
at a 45o angle in level flight and 90 degrees when banked hard. (It
won't fit on the top of the glareshield)

I think a triangular bracket that would allow horizontal placement of
powerflarm above the lower left side of the glareshield or on the
canopy rail would make a good installation. Alas the two hardware
stores I went to were out of aluminum sheet and then I gave up on the
project. A Ram mount (if you're willing to drill holes) or an old
camera mount on the rail would be perfect. Some mechanical type needs
to make a bunch of clever brackets.

It will fit on top of a Schempp-Hirth glareshield but don't put it
directly on top of another GPS! If your Nav GPS is right under the
glareshield, the powerflarm will work great but you won't get a log.

I can't give details on performance. It picked up lots of gliders that
were close in thermals and running out on course, and I was especially
delighted to know about gliders behind, above and below, and off to
the side while running. I was able to connect PF to the clearnav and
see the "threats" on the CN display. Either the range is short, or
it's set not to show lots of other gliders.

The screen is visible, but not offset. Mount it so it's pointing at
you.

We have one report already of a near-collision averted by Flarm. A
pilot on tow heard the flarm go off, found the target, and quickly
told the towplane to alter course, which he did, saving the day.


John Cochrane