Flight logger for dummies

I am confused (a state my friends and others may confirm is not unusual).

OLC rejects flights from secure flight recorders where the validity fails
(for example, where the internal battery which backs up the security
number has gone flat).

Are you saying that IGC files from non-secure recorders, such as PDAs
which can be driven from GPS which

(a) are not necessarily set to WGS84 and

(b) may have the 'prediction vector' enabled - this can record a
position in a zone when the glider turns outside

are acceptable, but one from an IGC approved recorder are not unless they
pass the validity check?

If so, bizarre.

On May 8, 9:15*am, Peter Purdie wrote:
I am confused (a state my friends and others may confirm is not unusual).

OLC rejects flights from secure flight recorders where the validity fails
(for example, where the internal battery which backs up the security
number has gone flat).

Are you saying that IGC files from non-secure recorders, such as PDAs
which can be driven from GPS which

(a) are not necessarily set to WGS84 and

(b) may have the 'prediction vector' enabled - this can record a
position in a zone when the glider turns outside

are acceptable, but one from an IGC approved recorder are not unless they
pass the validity check?

If so, bizarre.

I have tried various soloutions for logging flights including a Garmin
E-Trek, LX5000, Palm running Soaringpilot, Colibri, Winpilot on a HP
IPAQ and finally an EW. Off all the solutions - the EW is the easiest
and most reliable. Stick it into the glider - remember to start it
before launching and after the flight just plug it into the PC using
an USB cable. No connections to the glider needed as it has its own
battery. No external GPS needed as its built in. The flight records
are fully approved which is important for claiming diamond flights.

The Winpilot solution is also ok but have lost a flight record due to
the IPAQ freezing in flight and needing a reset. The Palm with
Soaringpilot is totally reliable (over 400 flights and never a
failure) but transfering flights needs extra software. It was also far
cheaper than the Winpilot as the Palm was about $100 and the software
is free. Both the Winpilot and Soaringpilot solutions need external
GPS sources - something like a Garmin E-Trex is probably the cheapest.

Clinton

LAK12

Hi Peter,

An approved logger is not required for OLC Classic Scoring IF one uses
approved software that includes Soar Pilot and XCSoar, both of which are
free to the user. These programs have a measure of security built in to
the validation part of their software.
This is to allow participation in OLC for those that can not afford state
of the art equipment.

So, for example, if you have an approved logger, that fails security
validation, and are using approved software, a flight will still be scored
for OLC Classic. This happened to me two weeks ago using a Cambridge 302A
that needed (I guess) its memory cleared. I use XCSoar, so when I
submitted the XCSoar flight log, OLC scored my flight.

GPS, used by current software programs and loggers, since 1984, is WGS84
by definition, soaring began using GPS in the early 90's so equipment
problems should be a non issue in that regard. OLC does not really care
about proper turnpoints, so, IF there is a prediction vector issue, which
I doubt- with modern logging times used and your actual position being
shown on a PDA or PNA with navigation software, it would not make much
difference.



At 07:15 08 May 2009, Peter Purdie wrote:
I am confused (a state my friends and others may confirm is not
unusual).

OLC rejects flights from secure flight recorders where the validity
fails
(for example, where the internal battery which backs up the security
number has gone flat).

Are you saying that IGC files from non-secure recorders, such as PDAs
which can be driven from GPS which

(a) are not necessarily set to WGS84 and

(b) may have the 'prediction vector' enabled - this can record a
position in a zone when the glider turns outside

are acceptable, but one from an IGC approved recorder are not unless
they
pass the validity check?

If so, bizarre.

On 7 Mai, 17:56, jeplane wrote:
OK, talk to me like I am a 4 year old:

From A to Z, what do I need to buy to be able to send my flight to
OLC? And how much am I looking at?
Thanks

Richard
Phoenix, AZ

Another well proven combination: GPS device (eg Holux mouse) , PDA,
GPS_LOG software (free), that's all you need. Ok, to upload you need
an internet connection, that should be obvious even for 4 Y olds. For
long flights you may need additional batteries.

On May 8, 1:30*am, M C wrote:
Hi Peter,

An approved logger is not required for OLC Classic Scoring IF one uses
approved software that includes Soar Pilot and XCSoar, both of which are
free to the user. [snip]

The exception that Eric was alluding to is if you are flying a
motorglider then an IGC approved flight recorder with ENL recording is
required even for OLC Classic. OLC knows what gliders are motorgliders
based on their type and automatically enforces this.

An IHC approved flight recorder is also required to participate in the
OLC League or OLC FAI (FAI Triangle).

Darryl

I always warn people that this "cheap" path has one fatal flaw. You
cannot use a non-FAI approved recorder for badges, records and many/
most contests. And any SSA sanctioned contest requires that the PIC
holds a silver badge (correct?) - which means that all contests
require an FAI approved logger at some point in time.

So there are lots of inexpensive choices for GPS's which do recording
and may work for OLC, but you might end up with a white elephant. Of
course you might be able to sell it on eBay.

Unfortunately, the FAI approved loggers are not cheap. $730 for the
EW Microrecorder is the cheapest I know of (pretty nice really). But
I have a problem with loose boxy recorders floating around the
cockpit.

So I recommend a path that you can grow with and has some extra
functionality to boot.

1) PDA that can run some soaring software. $100-$500. Find one on
eBay. Must have a CF slot.
2) Some soaring software. Some are free. Glide Nav is pretty cheap
$95 and produces IGC log files (non-FAI). Better than terrestrial GPS
units or even aviation GPS units as it provides you soaring optimized
data, turnpoints info, flight planning, etc, etc.
3) A GPS source. The least expensive solution is the Holux CF Card
GPS for $90 which fits right into the PDA.
4) PDA cradle with suction cup ($100)

So for $400-$800 you get something that is usable, portable, produces
log files, and is grow-able. Growable because when you do decide to
upgrade to FAI certified all you need to add is something like a
Cambridge 302a ($900). This will be your GPS and gives Glide Nav
extra info plus other features. Go to the Cambridge 302 and you also
have a flight computer, audio vario, etc, etc.

See http://cumulus-soaring.com/cai_302a.htm for an idea of the end
product.

My $0.02. Good luck.

- John DeRosa