(Updated March 18, 2015)
During Winter 2014/2015 Flytec has updated all pool loggers with a new USB chip. So now all FAI/CIA owned loggers work smoothly with Windows 8.1. Just install the driver as normal, see here.
For privately owned loggers, please check the Flytec website on how to test if the logger supports Win 8.1. If not it can be sent to Flytec for upgrade which might be for free if the logger is still in the warranty period.
We’ve been asked if the logger can be connected to a Android device. Yes, it is possible, but only if the logger has a Bluetooth module. The Bluetooth module is available as an option for private loggers, but it is not implemented in the pool devices. You need some tricks to enable it which I will present in this post. Please note that the logger unfortunately can’t peer with an Apple device (iPhone / iPad) due to license restrictions by Apple.
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The FAI logger allow instrument error correction to adjust for instrument error and drift of the sensors. The instrument error adjustment is configured using a separate config file (inst_cal.cfg) which is placed on the SD card. I’ve written many emails telling officials how to do this. I think it is time to post it…
I suggest to do the correction whenever possible. If you don’t use it, make sure the
Important Note: The instrument error file on the logger is only used to adjust the indicated altitude. The altitude stored in the IGC file is not modified. Thus the same instrument error must be added during scoring. Do not use the header information in the IGC file, but use a separate database to prevent cheating possibility.
Remark: Pre 1.3.246 firmware release the file was named insterr.cfg. Based on feedback the file was renamed to inst_cal.cfg. Versions 1.3.246 and later automatically rename insterr.cfg to inst_cal.cfg if no inst_cal.cfg exists yet.
With the Scoring WG we agreed to post two guidance documents for working with the CIA loggers. The documents describe how logger handling errors were dealt with during the Europeans 2011 and give recommendations for fail-over procedures.
The documents will be discussed in the CIA forum and during the next CIA conference with the Scoring WG and eventually be included in the COH.
With the latest firmware upgrade of the logger a new question was introduced, that could show up at startup after entering QNH (See image).
Pilots, don’t get confused: The question is simple: Is it a new flight or not? If you start the logger before launch or at briefing and this question rises, the answer is yes. If you want to start the logger after the flight (e.g. at debriefing) to read your declarations, the answer is no.
When a new flight is started, the logger allows you to drop all markers again and also goal declarations disappear from the user interface. Be aware that in any way you cannot clear data from your tracks. The declarations/drops done so far will remain in the track, thus scoring will not be affected.
This functionality was introduced in order to allow to reset the logger in case something went wrong with clearing the so called declaration cache. Of course pilots are not allowed to use this functionality to redrop a marker that has already been dropped in flight. Doing this might be considered interfering with the logger.
If the SD-Card is lost, not readable, or if no IGC files can be found on the card, there is still hope! The logger stores all tracks in its internal flash memory. The memory has space for at least 5h (@1s interval). Old data is automatically overwritten.
To download the track from the logger use the BLM.
The loggers have rechargeable batteries. Each logger comes with a power charger. Please follow the following rules.
Especially take care to use the correct plug, the charger plug fits into two holes of the logger!
GPSBabel is a free software tool that can be used to convert different track file formats. It can be downloaded from gpsbabel.org.
Convert to different file formats
The following command converts a logger igc file into a OziExplorer plt file. Please note, that 2 files are written. output.plt is the file with barometric altitude while output-1.plt uses GPS (above MSL) altitude.
gpsbabel -t -i igc -f -o ozi -F output.plt
The above example generated OziExplorer plt files. GPSBabel supports many track file formats.
| Format | -o parameter | |
| OziExplorer | ozi | |
| Garmin PCX5 | pcx | |
| GPX XML | gpx | |
| MemoryMap | mmo |
A list of all supported formats is listed on the GPSBabel homepage.
QNH correction
The logger stores the barometric altitude with QNH=1013.25. In order to adjust for the real altitude the barometric altitude must be corrected using the following formula:
This can also be done with GPSBabel:
gpsbabel -t -i ozi -f output.plt -x height,add=[dalt] -o ozi -F output-2.plt
with [dalt] beeing delta alt as calculated in the first line of the formula above. Of course the above line can be called with different file formats as well.