COMPETINO Manual Vers.1.16
Grey marked texts show the differences of this version compared to the last one Bräuniger GmbH
Dr. Karl Slevogt Str.5 D-82362 Weilheim
+49 881 64750 [email protected] www.brauniger.com May 2006
1 Contents
1 Contents...2
2 Operation ...3
2.1 Turning the Unit On and Off ...3
2.2 Keypad...3
2.3 Main Screen ...4
2.4 Map Screen...4
2.5 Final Glide Screen...5
2.6 Main Setup Menu ...6
2.7 Basic Settings ...7
2.8 User selectable fields ...8
2.9 Battery Management ...8
2.10 Data Exchange Via PC...9
2.11 Transferring New Firmware to the COMPETINO ...10
3 Technical Data ...11
4 Air pressure functions ...11
4.1 Altimeter and Air pressure...11
4.2 Analog Vario...12
4.3 Digital Vario...12
4.4 Acoustics and Volume Level ...12
5 Speed...14
5.1 Stall Alarm...14
6 GPS Functions...15
6.1 Assessment of Reception Quality ...15
6.2 Compass and Flight Direction ...15
6.3 Track and Bearing ...16
6.4 Ground-Speed...16
6.5 Glide Ratio (=L/D Ratio) ...16
6.6 The Wind Component: Head, Cross, and Tail Winds ...17
6.7 Wind Direction and Strength ...17
6.8 Waypoints and Co-ordinates ...17
6.8.1 Waypoints - Alter, Delete, or Add...18
6.8.2 Deletion of Waypoints:...19
6.8.3 Insertion of Waypoints ...19
6.8.4 Current Coordinate Indicator...19
6.8.5 Distance to Waypoint...19
6.8.6 Saving the Current Position ...19
6.9 Goto-Function ...20
6.10 Flying Routes ...20
6.11 Routes: Set - Delete - Alter ...21
6.11.1 Setting a New Route...21
6.11.2 Altering a Route: ...22
6.11.3 Deleting a Route: ...22
6.11.4 Changing a route into a Competition Route:...22
6.12 The Competition Route ...22
6.13 Competition – Route: Set - Alter - Delete ...23
6.14 Flying a competition route ...23
6.15 Final glide calculation ...25
6.16 Relocating Thermals ...26
6.17 Restricted Areas...26
7 Flight Memory and Flight Analysis...27
8 User Selectable Fields ...28
8.1 Temperature...28
8.2 Time and Date...28
8.3 Flight time...28
8.4 Dist Goal ...28
8.5 Alt a. Goal ...28
9 Other functions...29
9.1 Simulation ...29
9.2 Factory Settings, Unit Specific Parameters ...30
9.3 Optional Software Packages ...30
10 Landing in Water...30
11 Guarantee and Liability...30
2 Operation
2.1 Turning the Unit On and Off
The unit is switched on by pressing the key. In order to avoid turning it on unintentionally, you must confirm by pressing the “Enter” key.To switch it off, you need to press the same key for three seconds. The unit will then display the question ‘Really switch off?’ Confirm by pressing “Enter”. After a long flight with short recording intervals, the calculation of the digital signature can take up to one or two minutes. Please wait until this process is finished. Press the ESC/o key again to turn off the unit.
2.2 Keypad
Keyboard: Funct.below
Funct.ab.line line:
Press briefly press 2 sec
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Choose a
route Chose a
waypoint
Esc→Quit
Map displ.
ON / OFF
Enter, accept Set Marker
User Screen 1 Choose a user selectable field
Main Setup Menu
===============
Flightmemory Waypoints Routes
Restricted Areas Simulation Basic Settings Factory Settings Optional SW packages ================↓
Nxt ↓ ----
Fnc ↓ Mod Alt1↑↓ QNH/Gps
↓ Mod Alt2↑↓ Set 0
↓ S.Thr –0,8 SNK OFF/ON
↓ HT auto Man Wind
User Screen 2
User Screen 3
2.3 Main Screen
To toggle between the screens press briefly Esc / O
2.4 Map Screen
The flight track of saved flights in the memory also can be viewed on the display. The “Show Map” function is reached by pressing F1 starting from the Flight Analysis . A screen-
optimized flight route is shown on the display (North is located at the top). Additionally, stored waypoints are plotted with a cross and name. The map scale is displayed as well.
Information lines
Function of F1 Function of F2
Digital Variometer
Altitude Scale
Track of the actual flight Restricted area
Waypoint of a route with cylinder
Restricted area Waypoint of a route with cylinder
Remaining battery capacity of Bank 1 and Bank 2
Number of received satellites from the GPS system User selectable field
Altitude
User selectable field User selectable field
Analog Variometer Unit of analogue vario
Mode
Dig. Variometer
Function of F1 Function of F2
Information lines
The graph can then be changed as follows:
F2: Zoom in: The map scale is gradually increased to approx. 0.5-1.0km. Thus, individual circles during climbing periods are clearly recognizable (this is also dependent on the recording interval).
F1: Zoom out: The map scale is gradually decreased until the screen display is optimized.
Enter: Moves from each graph back again to the screen optimized graph.
ESC: Back to the Flight Memory. All other keys cause the track in the current selection to be redrawn.
Arrow keys (Pan): With these the plotted area can be shifted up, down, left and right. This function is only enabled in Flight Memory mode. During flight, the actual position is in the center of the map. If the position reaches a border, the map pans automatically.
*Note: As the picture takes a few seconds to build up (depending on the amount of data)
“Wait” or “Ready” appears on the status line. If a zoom or pan key is touched during this process, then it will be broken off and will start over again with new values. You can thus obtain the desired graph quickly. Even past flights can be graphed as long as they are still in the memory.
During flight, touching the ESC key briefly will toggle between the different displays.
‘Vario’ and ‘ALT’ appear digitally under the map. For Competition Routes, the cylinders of the waypoints, WP names, and a thin dotted line to the next WP are also displayed. During the flight the Zoom In/Out functions are accessible.
2.5 Final Glide Screen
Example: The above pilot has to turn left 22 degrees in order to fly on to target
His best glide ratio is 7 (Basic Settings). He is moving 406 m above the the best glide path because the requested glide ratio to target now is only 4,6
On the Final glide screen as well as with the main screen by pressing shortly key ► you can flip through the different screen pages with their user defined areas. Which means that up to 9 different results can be displayed per screen.
Battery Status No of received
satellites Page No
Glide Ratio Scale 1 step = 0,5 GR
Deviation from Flight direction 1 step= 10°
User selected field User selected field
User selected field
Analog Vario
Requested L/D = 4,6 The cross hair center shows the best glide path to goal (here 7)
A small arrow appears ^ above the big circle as a heading assistance, if track and bearing are within +/- 10°. When sinking, the arrows < ^ > indicate a recommendation, where one should hold
2.6 Main Setup Menu
Flight Memory List of the flights in memory (see Chapter 7: Flight Memory) Waypoints List of the waypoints with the possibility to edit (see Chapter 6.8
Waypoints and Coordinates)
Routes List of the routes with the possibility to edit (see Chapter 6.11) Create - change - delete routes
Restricted Areas List of the restricted areas with the possibility to edit (see Chapter 6.17)
Simulation Here you can simulate most important flight parameters (see Chapter 9.1)
Basic Settings Here you can change the most important parameters (see Chapter 2.7)
Factory Settings Only for service; password protected; contains unit specific calibration data (see Chapter 9.2)
Opt. SW-Packages Here you can enable optional SW packages that you purchased from Brauniger (see Chapter 9.3)
2.7 Basic Settings
A series of settings permit the unit to be programmed according to the user’s wishes. If too much information bogs you down and causes confusion, it is always possible to reset the unit at Basic Settings/Init EEPROM, which are the manufacturer’s tested basic settings. You are basically cleaning the slate.
But please note! All WPs and routes will be deleted as well. At minimum, possible settings and default values will be shown at the setting points. Should these values be changed, you move to the change mode by pressing Enter. The value to be changed will blink and can be modified with the help of the ▼ and ▲ keys. Pressing the Enter key confirms the new value.
Pressing the ESC key recalls the previous setting.
Term Meaning Ref. Ch Factory Setting
Display contrast Range 0 ... 100 % 70 %
Record-Interval Time interval per recorded (track log) point. Range: 10 - 30 sec
7 10 sec
Recording mode Auto or manual flight recording 7 Auto
Digital Variomode Averager; Averager time delay 4.3 1 sec; max 30 sec Vario tone Frequency of Climb and Sink tone;
Modulation; Pitch; Acoustic Averager
4.2 1200 Hz ; 700 Hz Mod = 5 ; Pi=3;
8
Battery type Alkaline cells or NiMH-Accumulator 2.8 0 = Alkaline cells Audio threshold Fine tuning of climbing tone (max
20 cm/sec)
4.2 2 cm/sec Sink tone threshold Activation point of sink tone 4.4 0.8 m/sec Last therm. threshold Climbrate to refind lost thermal 6.15 1 m/sec Vario/Spd delay Response time delay for Analog
Vario and Speed
5 12 ( » 1,2 sec) Best L/D Best glide ratio with corresponding
Air Speed
6.15 7; 38 km/h Stallspeed Use of stall alarm and altitude limit 6.1 0 km/h (mph) Spd corr. vane Windwheel 70 .. 150 % correction 6 100 % Units Meters or feet; Km/h or mph or
knots. Temp. : Grd C or Grd F
m ; km/h ; Grd C Coordinate Format * dd°mm,mmm or dd,ddddd or
dd°mm’ss” UTM ; Suisse Grid
7.8 dd,mm,mmm
Time Date Year Difference from UTC 9.2 Present
Pilotname Pilot name entry (max 16 letters) not set
Glider type Name of glider for OLC not set
Glider ID Glider registration for OLC not set
Del all records Deletion of flight memory (all records)
no Del all WP& Rts Deletion of all WPs and Routes no
Init EEPROM Back to factory settings no
Init CTRs Reorganization of the memory 7.16 no
Attention: The deletion of waypoints, routes or records needs a few seconds to perform.
Please wait until the confirmation shows up.
2.8 User selectable fields
The main screen as well as the final glide screen are containing each 3 pages which can be . selected with ► .All in all 9 of the following results can be achieved in the user selectable fields. To toggle between the pages press ► briefly. The page numbers P1 …P3 are displayed below the Battery status.
Alt a. BG Safety height above the best glide path*
FL (ft) Flight Level (not adjustable by the user)
Airspeed Speed measured with the vane wheel, true air speed Alt a.Goal Calculated height above last WP of a route
Dist Goal Sum of all sections of a route in front of the pilot Vario Digital Vario as a user field
Alt 1 The altitude Alt 1 as a user field
Dist Toff Distance from actual position to Take off point
Dist Cyl Distance to the circumference of the active WP of a Comp.route WindSpd Wind strength*
Time Chronological
Fl.Time Flight time since take off GND Speed ground speed*(=GS)
Spd-Diff Wind component (ground speed minus true airspeed)*
Dist to WP Distance to chosen destination (waypoint)*
Bearing Direction to chosen destination*
Track Flight direction (course)*
Temp Internal temperature
Alt 2 Reference height (if desired, can be set at 0) Alt 3 Cumulated gained height
QNH hPa Air pressure in hector-Pascal
L/D gnd Actual L/D over ground (=Ground Speed/Sink)*
L/D air Actual L/D in air (only available with vane wheel connected) L/D req L/D required to reach a WP*
Dist to^ Distance to last thermal
2.9 Battery Management
Two bar graph scales indicate the capacity of the batteries. The COMPETINO has 2 banks of 2 batteries each. Bank 1 must always be equipped. Bank 2 can remain free. However, we recommend installing batteries in both banks. As soon as the first bank is used up, the instrument switches automatically to the second bank. Switching on, the instrument always will start up with battery 1. After a long flight we recommend inserting the partly used batteries of bank 2 into bank 1 and then installing fresh batteries into bank 2. In this way, the batteries will be used more efficiently without as much risk of them dying in flight.
The active Batt.bank is displayed in black and white while the bank not in use is grey.
The next page sample shows the active battery bank 1 with 70 % charge and the battery bank 2 with 90% of life time.
The following battery types can be used:
2 per bank - Alkaline High Power Batteries 1.5 Size AA. Measured life (2 X 13hrs = 26 hrs) 2 per bank - NiMH Accu 2300mAh, 1.2V Size AA. Measured life (2 X 14hrs = 28 hrs) (NiCd Accu work as well, but have much less capacity and are worse for the environment) Please dispose of the batteries properly.
The estimated life span is based on normal temperature conditions. If the batteries are hotter or colder their life span will vary. Because of the different discharge characteristics of
Alkaline cells and NiMH-accus, the proper type of used batteries has to be set in the Basic Settings. If here the wrong Battery type is chosen, the unit switches OFF instead of changing from Bank 1 to Bank 2 .
2.10 Data Exchange Via PC
The COMPETINO’s basic equipment includes a data cable for a serial PC interface (9 pol Sub D plug). Data transfer can occur in both directions. The connection occurs with: 57.600 baud; 1 startbit; 8 databit; 1 stopbit; no parity, Xon/Xoff
The following can be read via this RS232 interface:
Serial number and pilot name Waypoint list
Route list
A selected flight (track) CTRs ( restricted areas )
The following can be uploaded to the COMPETINO:
Waypoints and routes, Restricted areas;
Before you transfer any data, switch the COMPETINO to the Main Setup Menu. You should make sure that the waypoints show up in the unit’s waypoint list before you transfer a route from your computer.
If you wish to download flight data, switch the unit to the Flight memory mode, and display the desired flight on the Flight Analysis screen before transferring it to your computer.
There are a number of PC programs on the market that allow communication with the COMPETINO.
We recommend the program Flychart which you can download from the Brauniger Website:
Bank 1
Bank 2
Bank 2 Bank 1
Important: the unit must first be switched on and the apropriate PC-program activated before plugging in the connection cable to it.
www.brauniger.com / Service / Downloads /
Other programs that permit data transfer with the COMPETINO:
Trackview (Freeware) Daniel Zuppinger (for OLC und CCC) www.softtoys.com/
Compe-GPS www.compegps.com
Seeyou Program well liked by sailplane pilots www.seeyou.ws
Maxpunkte Free program from DHV for reading flight data for evaluation and submission to OLC. www.dhv.de/sport
IQ-Online Free program, easy to handle, for downloading flights for OLC Evaluation (also available from www.brauniger.com)
2.11 Transferring New Firmware to the COMPETINO
As is the case with most new developments (particularly during the introduction phase), improvements or feature enhancements are to be expected. Periodically, Brauniger will post firmware updates at www.brauniger.com, which can be downloaded by the user free of charge, and then uploaded to the COMPETINO.
To be able to write to the COMPETINO’s flash memory with a PC, it is necessary to use a compressed file named InstallFlasher.exe”. In addition, the actual firmware to be uploaded must be obtained. It is called “Ctino112.moc” which corresponds to the version 1.12. Both of these are available from the download page at www.brauniger.com / Service / downloads.
We recommend that you store all the related files in one separate subdirectory. After the installation a number of files are created. Double click on the file “flasher.exe” to start the program. In “Setup”, the serial port (COM1 or COM2) can be chosen. Select the file to be transferred with the extension “.moc” by clicking on the “Load” symbol. The data transfer starts automatically with a click on the “Transfer” symbol.
Sometimes the Flasher will give an error. In this case, the cable must be unplugged, and the COMPETINO turned off before making an other attempt to flash the memory.
In many cases the recent portable PC’s don’t contain a serial interface (Com1 or Com2) anymore, but just the more common USB interfaces. To exchange data with the above listet programs you need a so-called RS232/USB adapter, which can be found in relevant
electronic shops.
It’s a cable with both plugs and the integrated electronic. Usually together with the adapter you get the driver on CD. In case this driver causes difficulties, you may download free from our homepage the “Prolific” driver, which has been working properly in most cases.
Important: Contrary to the instructions for data transfer of waypoints or routes, be sure that the COMPETINO is turned off when plugging in the cable between a computer and the COMPETINO.
Important: Never leave the PC cable hooked up to the unit when it is turned off. If this is done, energy is consumed and the battery can be drained.
3 Technical Data
Measurements: 165 x 73 x 38 mm
Weight: 286 grams (including 4 Alkaline batteries, without harness)
Electrical supply: 2 or 4 alkaline batteries AA or Nickel metal hydride accumulator 2,3 Ah; 1.2V
Battery life: ca. 26 hrs with 4 alkaline batteries Altimeter: Max. 8000 m; 1 m (3 ft) steps
Variometer: Analogue+/-8 m/s; (1600 ft/m); 0.2m/s (20 ft/m) steps Variometer: Digital +/-70m/s; (14.000 ft/m); 0.1m/s (20 ft/m) steps Speed (wind wheel): Digital 0 - 150km/h (or mph or kts) 1 km/h steps
Waypoints: 200 WPs
Routes: 20 routes with max. 30 WPs in each
Restricted areas: 20 CTR’s free; 150 CTRs due to extra cost Max. memory time: 55 hrs flying time at 10 sec recording intervals Number of track log points: 24,000
Number of registered flights: 100
Data memory and transfer according to the IGC format
Screen resolution: 38.400 pixels; 240 x 160 pixel (=1/8 VGA) Operating temperature: -15 to 45 °C
Mounting brackets for both hang gliders and paragliders are available.
The technical details may be altered without notification. Software upgrades can be made by downloading the latest firmware version from our homepage (www.brauniger.com).
4 Air pressure functions
4.1 Altimeter and Air pressure
The COMPETINO has 3 altitude displays:
Alt1 should be always the altitude above sea level (QNH).
Alt2 (in the User Selectable Fields) is a reference height which can be changed or zeroed at any time. To do so, press F1 (Next Function) until Mod Alt2 appears. The arrow keys ▲ or
▼change the value while F2 will set it to zero.
Alt3 (in the User Selectable Fields) shows the total height gained during a flight.
Among the User Selectable Fields there is another altimeter called FL (ft ) Flight-Level which cannot be adjusted by the user and is based on an air pressure of 1013 hPa at mean sea level.
Alt1 should be adjusted to display the correct height above sea level. It is originally set by the manufacturer to a sea level pressure of 1013hPa. Since this is seldom the case, the correct altitude should be set before commencing each flight by using the arrow keys (
increases altitude) and (
decreases altitude). By means of this adjustment, the air pressure display changes as well (the air pressure (QNH) always refers to sea level).If there is satellite reception,a brief press on F2 the GPS altitude is taken over for Alt1.
If there is no satellite reception, the 1013 hPa altitude will be used.
During flight, adjustment of Alt1 is blocked.
If Alt1 is adjusted to zero for any planned landing area, then the height above this location will always be indicated after starting. The associated air pressure (QFE) is the actual air pressure in hPa at this spot, which deviates from QNH (the pressure at sea level) according to the difference in altitude.
4.2 Analog Vario
The scale of the analog vario display is 40 fpm (0.2 m/s). The resolution of the digital vario is 20 fpm (0.1 m/s).
The first full-scale range is from +/- 800 fpm (+/- 4 m/s) after which the display switches automatically to a second range from 800 to 1600 fpm (4 to 8 m/s).
The time delay (dampening) over which the measured climb rates are averaged for the analog vario (and associated sounds) is factory set at 1.2 seconds. This can be changed to any value between 0.6 sec and 4 sec. in the Basic Settings > Vario-Speed-Delay (Filter2). If the time delay is too short, the vario is very twitchy; if too long, it’s rather sluggish. A lower dampening value is preferable for smooth light conditions. A greater dampening value may be desirable in rough turbulent conditions. (Note: this setting should not be confused with vario integration (averager) which refers to the digital vario display).
A small pre-filter can be adjusted here as well (Filter1). It may be used as a turbulence filter and can be adjusted from 0.1 sec. to 1 sec. (Settings 1 to 10; default is 1).
4.3 Digital Vario
The digital vario has a scale of 10 cm/s (20 ft/m) and a very wide measuring range of +/- 70 m/s. It is therefore also ideal for displaying extreme vertical speeds, such as parachute jumping.
The digital vario can be set to function as an averager (also called integrated vario), with an average time delay between 1 and 30 seconds. This is very useful in determining the actual strength of a rough thermal.
4.4 Acoustics and Volume Level
In the Main Setup Menu > Basic Settings > Vario tone, most of the parameters can be set to fulfill a pilot’s wishes.
Each time the key 0-I-II / Route is briefly pressed, the volume level is increased by 25%.
The adjustable sound levels are: 0 - 25% - 50% - 75% - 100%. The value of the chosen volume level is displayed on the status line.
Automatic volume control: The volume levels of 25%, 50%, and 75% will be slowly increased automatically once Airspeed exceeds 40 km/h (25 mph). It is impossible for the volume to exceed 100%. The following settings are achieved in Basic Settings / Vario tone Audio threshold
Threshold To avoid the climb acoustic starting on the ground or during very slow climbs in flight, the starting point can be set from 0.02m/s to 0.2m/s.
Asc. F
Beep frequency This start frequency will be heard when the climbing sound begins
Mod. Modulation (see graphic below)
Pit. Pitch, broken tone interval (see graphic below). The broken tone intervals increase in pitch with the climb rate
damp
Dampening The vario value is re-calculated every 0.2 seconds. Rapid vario changes may result in wide variations in tone frequency . The ear registers it as a fast piano effect. In order to change this, a dampening may be added. Dampening the rapid tone and frequency results in the vario sounding more settled.
Sink tone thres.
Threshold The starting point can be chosen as in climb acoustic.
SinkF
Sink tone/alarm
frequency This tone deepens when sink increases. The basic tone cannot be set to a higher frequency than the climb acoustic. The basic tone
frequency of the sink acoustic may be set lower.
The warning tone for stall alarm is a midrange tone, short beep, long pause and full volume.
All of these settings can be tested in simulation mode.
If a low and quiet random noise can be heard at the beeper this is a normal effect of operation.
4.5 Sink tone On / Off
Multiple press on F1 until the info field shows: “S.Thresh -0,6” Now with F2 you toggle between Sink tone ON and Off. To change the point at which the sinktone is active please use the arrow keys ▲▼ . This point also can be adjusted in Basic Settings / Sink tone threshold.
5 Speed
The COMPETINO has an input for a vane wheel speed sensor. It shows the true air speed and begins to make correct measurements above 1km/h; it is also well suited in determining the wind strength at take-off. In the Basic Settings > Speed Correction vane it is possible to calibrate the displayed speed from 70% to 150% (default is 100%).
The wind vane sensor measures the true air speed. True air speed = TAS.
Speed readings are only shown in digital displays. Air Spd and Gnd Spd .
Many paraglider pilots fly without a speed sensor. In this case we recommend displaying only the GPS-Speed (ground speed). From SW Version 2.12 up it is possible to display a calculated Air Speed, even when flying without the vane sensor. The value is found by a vector addition of Gnd Spd and Wind. To get the wind in strength and direction, the pilot has to fly a full circle regularly.
5.1 Stall Alarm
This Alarm is audible, consisting of short beeps with 100% volume.
The speed for activating the stall alarm can be adjusted in the Basic Settings / Stallspeed and likewise, the altitude can be set to a point from above which the alarm is inactive.
If the stall alarm is set to the lowest adjustable value of 0 km/h (mph), it is turned off.
6 GPS Functions
The use of GPS receivers has become indispensable for navigation today. A chain of satellites continually circles the Earth. It is possible to determine your position very precisely anywhere in the world by receiving several satellites at the same time.
6.1 Assessment of Reception Quality
The integrated GPS Receiver can follow up to 16 satellites at the same time. After turning on the unit it is necessary to receive at least 4 satellites to fix your position for the first time.
Once logged on, 3 satellites (for 2D positioning) are sufficient for further navigation.
However, if you want to record altitude as well (3D positioning), then four satellites are required. For competition flights it is always necessary to have 3D positioning. There is a table in the receiver (The Satellite Almanac) in which the path, place, and time of all satellites are kept with reference to the receiver. The Almanac is continuously updated during signal reception. However, if the signal to the Almanac memory is disrupted completely or the unit is taken 200 km or more from the last reception point, then the Almanac has to be re-
established (which can take several minutes). Power is still supplied to the Almanac’s memory even when the unit is turned off.
If the receiver is turned off for only a short period of time (less than 2 hours), it takes less than a minute to determine the location. Buildings, mountains or thick forest affect reception quality, therefore, you should always look for the best possible visibility around you with the antenna under the COMPETINO label pointing upwards. When the unit is securely mounted (to a flight deck, etc.), it should not have more than 45° deviation from a horizontal position.
Because the receiving strength of the satellite signal is only 1/1000 of mobile radios, these radio receivers and other disruptive factors (like notebooks) should be kept as far away as possible from the COMPETINO.
Together with the navigation signal, information about the number of received satellites is shown on the uppermost right side of the display (directly across from the battery bar graphs). One angle is equal to one satellite with good reception. The longer the bar, the better the reception.
6.2 Compass and Flight Direction
In contrast to a normal magnetic compass which is oriented to magnetic north, the GPS compass can show direction only when the user is moving over ground. However, it has the advantage that it is not subject to any grid deviation and does not show any deviation as a result of iron or any magnetic material. Its zero point always corresponds with true
geographic north (0 or 360 degrees). The course that is the flight direction (= Track) is calculated from your movements.
If the user remains stationary at the same location, then the course and compass needles are inoperative. The exact course (that is the direction in which the user travels over ground) is always at the top of the compass, but can also be read in the display “Track”. When circling in a thermal the compass rose appears to turn; in reality the needle does not move;
the unit along with the aircraft, moves around the rose itself.
6.3 Track and Bearing
As is the convention with GPS receivers, the Track is defined as the route of the aircraft over ground. Geographic true North is always 0 or 360 degrees (East 90, South 180, West 270 degrees). The bearing is the direction to a specific destination or waypoint from the aircraft, also expressed in degrees.
Note: A Tracklog is the result of recording many different position points during a flight.
6.4 Ground-Speed
The GPS receiver fixes its position once every second. Speed over ground is derived from the distance between these positions. Only from the difference between airspeed and groundspeed can one make conclusions about the wind’s influence, and ultimately these are the most important pieces of information a pilot needs during flight. The Ground speed should appear at all times in an user selected field.
6.5 Glide Ratio (=L/D Ratio)
By definition, the glide ratio is calculated by taking the horizontal distance travelled and dividing it by the height lost.
The following different types of glide ratio can be selected within the User Defined Fields:
Glide Ratio through the air:
L/D air = TAS / Sink (True Air Speed divided by Sink)
Glide Ratio over the ground:
L/D gnd = GS / Sink (Ground Speed divided by Sink)
Required Glide Ratio in order to reach a chosen destination from the present position:
L/D req. = Distance to the waypoint divided by the height difference to the waypoint
6.6 The Wind Component: Head, Cross, and Tail Winds
During a goal flight or in calculating a final glide, it is the wind component (i.e. the difference between Ground speed and Air speed) that is important. In most cases the wind does not blow directly from the front or rear, but from an angle. If the wind component Spd-Diff (in the User Selected Fields) is positive, then the pilot will fly with a tail wind influence and the glide ratio over the ground will improve. If it is negative, then the glide ratio will worsen. The COMPETINO takes the wind into consideration when doing final glide calculations
Press F1 several times until HT wind = auto appears. There are reasons why this automatically calculated wind component can be intentionally overwritten by inputting a head-wind (with negative ‘-‘ sign) or a tailwind, but be careful with this manual wind input (the results will be wrong when changing your flight direction). Anyway, the field Spd-Diff always displays the real and actual difference between Ground and Air speed and can be used as a check or a required correction.
6.7 Wind Direction and Strength
It is very important to know wind direction and strength before an out landing.
The Wind Strength can be selected within the User Defined Fields. It is necessary to fly one or two complete circles as steadily as possible and it is while circling that the COMPETINO is able to determine the wind direction and strength. Wind direction is shown in the compass rose by a small windsock. During the landing approach this symbol must always be at the top.
The maximal difference between Ground Speed and
Air Speed gives the Wind Strength. The unit keeps in mind Wind Strength and Direction as long as it is refreshed by flying new complete circles.
From Vers. 1.12 up there is a new user field “Calculated Air Speed”. The shown value is found by an addition of Ground Speed and Wind Component. Wind Strength is a fix value, Wind Component however is changing with the direction of your flight.
6.8 Waypoints and Co-ordinates
A waypoint is any single point on the earth’s surface that you would like to go to. The COMPETINO can save up to 200 different waypoints. Each named waypoint can have up to 17 characters, e.g. “Laber Airfield”. In determining the waypoint, it is also necessary to enter the altitude, e.g. “1865” meters above sea level. We still need the waypoint co- ordinates (refer as well to 7.8.1 Waypoints — Alter, Delete or Add) and for this, the COMPETINO utilizes only the most internationally used geographical maps with the name WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984). This reference system assumes that latitude is measured from the equator (0 degrees) to the North Pole (90 degrees north), and to the
South Pole (90 degrees south). Longitude is measured from the Greenwich Meridian (London, 0 degrees). East is positive (up to 180 degrees) and west is negative (-180 degrees).
In Basic settings > Coordin. Format choose the following display formats:
1) Degrees Minutes Decimal places of minutes dd°mm.mmm 2) Degrees Minutes Seconds dd°mm’ss”
3) Degrees Decimal places of degrees dd.ddddd 4) UTM (a grid with a 1km raster in both E-W and N-S directions) 5) Swiss grid
Basically, one should always attempt to use dd°mm.mmm (factory setting) as only this format uses the same precise calculation format as the GPS receivers and this guaranties the highest accuracy. With the other formats, rounding errors could sum up to 15m in worst- case scenarios.
The COMPETINO also understands waypoints entered according to the standardized convention of using 3 letters and 3 numbers (as created by Brauniger). For example, LAB167indicates a waypoint with the name LABxxx and an altitude of 1670 meters absl.
Besides the International Geodetic System WGS84, many countries use their own map references wherein the coordinates of the same point differ slightly from each other.
6.8.1 Waypoints - Alter, Delete, or Add
Waypoints can be managed at this location of the Main Setup Menu (Main Setup Menu > Waypoints).
After briefly pressing the Enter key, the display shows the list of logged waypoints (WPs).
All WPs are arranged in alphabetical order.
If this list contains more than 6 visible WPs, a down arrow at the right lower edge of the list shows that additional pages follow.
To scroll down to the next page, press the
arrow (WPs 7 to 12 are now shown) and so on. You can select an individual WP with the or keys, and edit it by pressing the Enter key.The first letter of the WP name will blink; again with the
and arrow keys you can select the desired letter. There are numbers and letters, as well as a set of special symbols to choose from. By pressing the arrow you move forward to the next letter. With the F1 key you can switch between capital and small letters and numbers. You can enter up to a maximum of 16 characters.Once the name has been entered correctly, confirm by pressing Enter. Now the waypoint altitude blinks, asking for any alterations. Again you confirm by pressing Enter. The WP position comes next. First the latitude is entered in degrees and minutes, and is confirmed by pressing Enter. Next are the decimals of the minutes (depending on the Co-ordinate- Format set in the Basic Settings). The same occurs with longitude. Holding the key down longer changes the values to be set faster.
Waypoints
=================
Brauniger Fiesch
Flims, Station Cassons Grat Laber Airfield Bichl Landepl
=================⇓ Fiesch
Alti 1048 m Lat N 46’24.446 Lon E 011’08.264
=================
Ins Ins Ins
Ins Del Del Del Del WP
WP WP
WP WP WP WP WP
6.8.2 Deletion of Waypoints:
Selecting the waypoint to be deleted is done with the
and arrow keys. Pressing the F2 key (Del Wp) activates the delete function. To be on the safe side, the COMPETINO asks for confirmation, “Delete Waypoint?” Yes or No are the choices available. It is possible, however, to stop the deletion process by pressing Esc and returning to a previous screen.6.8.3 Insertion of Waypoints
Pressing the F1 key (Ins Wp) activates this function. Entering WP names, altitude, and position happens in the same way as described above. After confirming all entries with the Enter key, the new WP is inserted alphabetically in the list.
*There is an easier manner to handle Waypoint lists and transfer them to the unit by utilizing the PC-Software “Flychart 4.50” ( www.Brauniger.com / Service / Downloads)
Altogether 200 WPs can be stored by the COMPETINO.
Note: After entering new waypoints (for example, for inputting them into a route) they can be used only after you have switched back to the normal flight mode by repeated briefly pressing the Esc/O key. In addition, the route into which the new waypoint should be inserted must not be active. Therefore, first change to route selection by prolonged pressing of the
0.I.II
/Route key and, with the help of the F2 key (Cancel Route), deactivate the route.6.8.4 Current Coordinate Indicator
Provided the COMPETINO is receiving GPS signals, the actual position is displayed by pressing the Enter key in the unit’s information field. After 20 seconds, the previous display will automatically reappear. This function is useful in relaying your location after landing to a person coming to retrieve you. Every time the Marker function is called, the coordinates are also displayed
6.8.5 Distance to Waypoint
The horizontal distance to the chosen waypoint is displayed as long as the destination has been inputted (automatically or manually) by using the Goto function. For distances below 10km the resolution is 10m and, if further, it is 0.1km (please see: 6.9 Goto-Function)
The distance to a WP is always measured to the centre of a WP cylinder and not to its circumference. However a new userfield can be chosen which shows the distance to the cylinder circumference. ( Dist Cyl). This function is particularly useful in competitions when the pilot wants to know the distance to the starting line.
6.8.6 Saving the Current Position
Every now and then a pilot may want to save his/her immediate position as a waypoint. To do this, press the key for 3 seconds. As confirmation you will hear a double beep and the current co-ordinates are displayed at the info lines and will be stored in the memory as a waypoint. The COMPETINO uses the letter M (for marker) for the waypoint designation and then the date and time.
Example: M.22.04 11:16:49 for 22 April 11 hrs.16 minutes 49 seconds (UTC). Of course, this WP name can be changed later to one more meaningful.
6.9 Goto-Function
Prolonged pressure on the Enter/Goto key switches the lower half of the display into the ‘Goto’ mode. This function allows you to search for a waypoint stored in the memory of the COMPETINO and choose it as a destination (goal).
At the same time, the next waypoint is listed in the order of shortest distance from the user. The number after the WP’s name indicates the distance in kilometers.
The Goto function can be deactivated with the F2 key (Cancel Goto).
The big black arrow in the center of the compass is pointing directly towards goal.
If a strong cross wind is encountered on the way to goal, the correct angle between the destination and the wind can be found as long as one carefully changes the direction of flight against the wind, until the directional pointer in the compass rose points directly upwards. The black arrow in the compass will now look like the one pictured on the right.
By doing this you can be sure that your flight path over ground is in a straight line to goal and thereby the shortest one.
Also amongst the user-selected fields is the Alt a. BG (Height above the best glide path).
While circling upwards before approaching the WP, this height will show 0 when the pilot should be able to reach the goal by flying at the best glide speed. Every meter above that means a greater safety margin.
The Alt a. BG then shows how much ‘security height’ the pilot will have available to use if necessary in order to compensate for unexpected sink. Under no circumstances should the pilot go ahead and fly towards goal if the Alt a. BG (Height) shows zero or negative numbers (reaching goal would then be impossible without finding lift on the way).
6.10 Flying Routes
A route is an arrangement of various waypoints. Of course, the waypoints used on a route have to be saved in the unit’s memory.
In contrast to the Goto function where you have to choose the next waypoint from a long list by prolonged pressing of the Goto button, you can fly along a route by briefly pressing
(next WP) or
(previous WP). This function must be chosen with F1. (Next Function) To choose a route, press the button 0-I-II/Route and hold it for a few seconds. Each route should also be assigned a route name (e.g. “Karwendel Triangle”). It makes sense to store many well-known thermal sources as waypoints along a route. The pilot does not have to feel compelled to reach these waypoints and at times he/she may be high enough to jump a waypoint on a route, while at another time he/she may have already found a thermal several kilometers before reaching the waypoint. ) Only routes containing at least one waypoint can be chosen.Of course there is still the option of looking up other, possibly closer, waypoints without leaving the current route by using the Goto function. Altogether, the COMPETINO can have up to 20 routes set. The same waypoint can be used more than once along a route, and the same waypoint may occur on other routes as well. Once a waypoint has been used along a route, it cannot be deleted from the list.
With the Function key F1, you can then choose the following input options:
Next Pr WP next or previous Waypoint
Mod Alt1
Modify Alt1 (only possible as long as no recording is taking place) Mod Alt2 ▼▲ Modify Alt2 or set to zero by pressing F2Sink Thresh ▲▼ Sink acoustic On/Off with F2 or alter with the arrow keys
HT man
automatic* or manual input of wind component (Head/Tailwind)*automatic means: the wind component is calculated by the difference of Gnd spd - Air spd (a negative result signifies a Headwind, while a positive result signifies a Tailwind)
Direction arrow to second next waypoint:
(Not yet implemented)
In the middle of the compass rose a thick black arrow points to the next waypoint. Under this pointer is a transparent second pointer that points in the direction of the second waypoint (not the current one headed to, but the one after it). This makes sense in competitions when the pilot wants to know ahead of time which direction to turn after reaching the active waypoint cylinder.
6.11 Routes: Set - Delete - Alter
You can reach any stored routes by marking the menu point Routes in the Main Setup Menu. Routes saved in the COMPETINO appear after pressing the Enter key (Maximum of 20 routes). From these, you can select one of the routes by using the
and keys. Press F2 (DeI Rte) to delete or Enter to alter the route. However, by pressing the F1 key (Ins Rte) a new route can be created.With less effort Routes can be transferred with the program Flychart 4.50 or others from your PC to the Competino.
A route is a string of waypoints (of course, the WPs have to already be in the COMPETINO’s memory). Again, if a WP is used in a route, then it can no longer be deleted.
6.11.1 Setting a New Route
After pressing the F1 key (lns Rte), a name needs to be entered for the route. The cursor will blink on the first letter of the word “Xxxxx”. By using the
and keys you may scroll to the desired letter. By using the key you will proceed to the next letter position, where you can then change it, and so forth. By pressing the Enter key, you conclude the entry of the route name. At this time the individual WPs need to be added. The list of the available WPs appears in alphabetical order at the bottom half of the screen after pressing the F1 button (lns Wp.). At the same time you will see the request: Select Waypoint No 1. Again, by using the or keys you can search for the first WP where it can be added to the route by pressing Enter (which is indicated in the upper half of the screen). Press the F1 key (lns Wp.) again. Once more the waypoint list appears and you can select the second point.Press Enter to add this to the route, and so on. The highlighted waypoint (offset in black) is always the last one entered, so the function “lns Wp.” will set the next WP. If you want to insert an additional waypoint after WP1, highlight WP1, then press F1 (lns Wp.). The reference Select Waypoint No. 2 appears.
Routes
=================
Competition Route Karwendel Triangle Flims, Station
Bridal Falls Split Rock Engelberg
================⇓ Route 2
Karwendel Peak Total Dist: 86 Waypoints: 6 ---
Ins Ins
Ins Ins Del Del Del Del Rte Rte
Rte Rte Rte Rte Rte Rte
If you determine, for example, that WP4 must be changed, then you can select and delete it (with F2) and insert a new one by pressing F1. Note: the marked WP before pressing F1 must be WP3. Again, the list of available WPs will appear with the prompt: Select Waypoint No 4. After selecting and pressing Enter, the newly chosen one replaces the old waypoint.
If you want to delete a waypoint from the route, select it and press the F2 key (Del Wp.). The WP is deleted from the list without any additional prompt.
6.11.2 Altering a Route:
You may select a route to be changed with the
or keys and confirm with Enter. The route name is changed first. If this is not what you want, then it is sufficient to press Enter again in order to get to the waypoints. As described in the previous paragraph, an additional WP can be added or deleted at this point.6.11.3 Deleting a Route:
You may select the route to be deleted with the
or keys and press F2 (Del Rte.). To be on the safe side, the COMPETINO will prompt you once again: “Delete Route?” - to which you may answer, “Yes” or “No”. However, it is not possible to delete the Competition-Route.6.11.4 Changing a route into a Competition Route:
Call up Route (Main Setup Menu > Routes). With the
keys go to the desired route and press Enter.Now press The display asks “copy to Competition route?” confirm with “Yes”.
Please note: start cylinder, cylinder radii, and start time have to be set separately. Within this procedure all radii are reset to the default values of 400m.
6.12 The Competition Route
In contrast to the routes described above, the Comp. Route has waypoints which are mandatory and have to be reached. For example, turn points in a competition or on competition performance flights. The regulation, which only recently came into effect in documenting distances flown, replaces the detailed and often difficult to interpret photographic documentation with photo sectors. And it is now totally dependent on the recording of GPS receiver position data (tracklog points).
When flying Competition Routes, the pilot will be warned by an acoustic alarm when crossing the circumference of a turnpoint cylinder or when entering / leaving the start cylinder at which time the unit will automatically switch to the next WP. Besides the automatic switching to the next WP, the pilot can manually change WPs with the ▲ or ▼ buttons; (Next or Prev. WP).
The Competition Route can be called up by prolonged pressing of the 0-I-II/Route key and confirmed by pressing Enter (please refer to 6.13 to set and change routes). Here any of the WPs can be defined to be the Start WP.
Any activated route remains active even after switch off of the instrument. It can only be deactivated by prolonged pressing of the key and then pressing F2 Cancel route
6.13 Competition – Route: Set - Alter - Delete
When a Competition Route (which is treated differently than a usual route) is called up for a flight, there are only a few differences when setting or changing it. The route can be set up with the help of the keypad similar to a normal route or can be transferred from the PC.
The Competition Route can be altered, WPs in it can be erased, but its name, however, cannot be deleted or changed.
Each one of the other routes can be copied to replace a Competition Route by pressing the key. For each of the WPs in the Competition Route, a different cylinder- radius can be assigned (20m …200km).To do so, select the WP and press briefly the Enter key. Usually the Start cylinder belongs to the first WP of the Comp. route (not mandatory). If, during inserting or changing the WPs, the
key is pressed, an “S” for Start Cylinder appears behind the waypoint’s name and cylinder radius (the “S”
disappears if the same key is pressed again). For the Start Cylinder, the user chooses if the race begins by “Entering or Exiting” the cylinder circumference. Only if a WP is marked with an “S” is it necessary to also set a Start time and a Start mode (Enter or Exit). By confirming Enter or Exit, the pilot defines if the race begins by flying in or out of the circumference. If no Start Cylinder is determined, the pilot can launch whenever he/she wants and the automatic
switch over to the next WP occurs as soon as he/she is inside the cylinder. Sometimes the pilots can choose to start at multiple start times. The number of start gates and their time interval must be entered when setting up the Comp. Route. The example above shows 3 possible start gates at 14:30 at 14:45 and at 15:00 .If only one fix start time is given, the number of gates has to be set to 1 ; the interval then does not care.
There is also a count down timer linked with the Start Cylinder. This lets the pilot know exactly how many minutes and seconds are left until the window is open.
6.14 Flying a competition route
Because COMPETINO’s GPS receiver confirms its new position every second, it only takes one second for the pilot to know that he/she is crossing the cylinder circumference. In this case, a 2 second long, unmistakable tone sounds (Waypoint reached) and the unit automatically switches to the next route waypoint. It is guaranteed that several track log points within the cylinder are stored at one second intervals in the memory of the COMPETINO, totally independent of what recording interval is used during a standard flight.
During a flight with a defined start time, the pilot can see on the Info display how many seconds/minutes are left before the opening of the Start gate. The time counter shows decreasing, negative numbers. Only when the time counter has reached 0 and starts to count forward (showing positive numbers) the pilot can decide to cross the circumference of the start cylinder from outside to inside (if the start mode was set to ENTER) and the other way round (if the mode was set to EXIT.) The “Waypoint reached” signal is heard and the COMPETINO automatically switches to the next WP.
The Dist.to WP always calculates the distance from the pilot’s present position to the center of the active WP cylinder. The user field Dist.Cyl however, calculates the distance from the pilots position to the circumference of the active cylinder.
EXIT cylinder:
COMPETITION-ROUTE
=================
Fiesch 2.00S Flims, Stat. 0.40 Cassons Grat 0.40 Stanshrn-Arvi0.40 Engelberg 0.60
===================
WP 1/5 in Route Fiesch
Total Dist: 86 Radius(m) : 2000 Start 14:30 +15 min Gates 03 EXIT ---
Ins Ins
Ins Ins Del Del Del Del Rte Rte
Rte Rte Rte Rte Rte Rte
EXIT cylinder:
ENTER cylinder:
At any time during the race, the pilot can toggle back and forth manually between previous and upcoming WPs by pressing the ▲ or ▼ keys. This is useful when a pilot wants to break off from a task and restart at a later time. In this case he has to press “Prev.WP”; the active WP again is the Start cylinder and the time counter shows the remaining time to the next start gate.
Even during the flight along the Competition Route it is possible to select additional waypoints (thermal sources) by pressing the Goto key (prolonged pressing). These WPs are sorted according to their distance from the pilot. The WPs that are part of the Comp. route are marked with an asterisk in the displayed list which means that their cylinders must be entered. The alarm remains active when entering a called up waypoint cylinder along the route, even if a waypoint not belonging to the route has been selected. With the F2 button it is possible to toggle back and forth between a WP of the Competition Route and another WP.
After completing a flight task, the WP belonging to the Competition Route will be listed in the data transferred to a PC under the header of the IGC file. A corresponding PC program can also check if the assigned task was completed correctly.
When setting up a Competition Route without a Start Cylinder and without a Start Time, the automatic switch over to the next WP occurs as soon as the pilot flies inside the first cylinder.
Due to this, it is advisable to choose the “Take off” place for the first WP because, immediately after receiving satellites, the unit will switch over to the second WP.
WP1 Exit
WP2
WP3
WP1 ENTER
WP2
WP3
6.15 Final glide calculation
Among the user selectable fields, there is one called “Alt a.BG” This is a precalculated height above the path of best glide . Based on the L/D ratio for best glide input at the Basic Settings.
This ratio is corrected with the wind component and gives good results , making the pre- sumption, that on the glide path to goal (=the active WP) , rising and sinking air neutralize each other and the wind remains constant.
A positive value for Alt a.BG is kind of a safety margin the pilot still can loose in a sinking air mass on the way to goal. A negative value shows him, how many meters he still has to circle up to be able to arrive goal with best glide speed.
From this SW vers. Up the user selectable fields “Alt a. Goal and Dist t.Goal” give information about the total height to gain and total distance in front of the pilot when flying a route. Please refer also to chapt. 8.4 and 8.5 . After multiple brief pushing the Esc/O button an additional screen appears. (As illustrated on the right picture) which displays the final glide calculation graphically. A Crosshair now is
showing the path into the goal The pilots position is marked by a glider symbol. The horizontal scale of the crosshair indicates the deviation from the course into goal (caused by side wind). Any graduation line corresponds to 10 degrees. On the picture illustrated the pilot is drifting by 22° too far to the right.
The vertical scale shows glide ratios. In the centre of the crosshair the best glide ratio of the glider is shown (fed in under Basic Settings previously). With wind this glide ratio is getting corrected relating to the wind component. Each graduation line corresponds to 0,5 glide ratio. In our example the pilot would have fed in a best glide ratio of 7 . If he stayed exactly on the path of best glide, the glider symbol would exactly be positioned on the horizontal line and the “Alt ab.BG” would be 0.
As he still has 5,45 Km to goal he will loose on the way to goal 5450 : 7 = 780 m.
“Alt ab.Goal” shows 406 m. So his actual position is 780+406=1186 m higher than his goal.
The necessary glide ratio into goal is 5450:1186=4,6 That is the exact value the glider symbol indicates to us.
Best glide 7
Act. Distance to goal 5.45 km Akt. Height
1186 m
L/D req 4.6
2km For best glide
leave thermal 1064 m above goal
780 m Alt a BG 406m
6.16 Relocating Thermals
With weak or widely dispersed thermals, this function helps to relocate any lost thermals. A small arrow pointing up in the ring of the compass rose shows the direction to the last thermal with at least a 1 m/s climb.
In the Basic Settings one can adjust this value between 0,5 .. 3 m/sec . (Last therm.Threshold)
If this arrow is displayed at the top in the ring, then you are flying towards the thermal. However, if the arrow is at the bottom of the compass rose, you are going away from the thermal (see image). To take advantage of this function, the indicator “Dist. to ^” needs to be activated in one of the User Defined Fields. This value indicates the distance from the last thermal to the pilot.
6.17 Restricted Areas
Up to 150 airspace’s (restricted areas, CTRs) can be entered into the COMPETINO.
The first 20 CTRs are free of charge; for more, please contact Brauniger to get a license number which has to be entered in “Main Setup Menu / Optional SW Packages. These airspace’s appear in the Map mode as polygons, circles or polygons with arc sections.. The single WPs must be entered exactly in the order of the direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) in which the lines later appears. From the last entered WP, the COMPETINO automatically draws a line to the first WP (it is not necessary to reenter the first WP to complete the process). The input of the CTRs can be done either manually in the Main Setup Menu > Restricted areas or, more easily, via a PC program (e.g. Flychart – see: www.brauniger.com).or with the PC program “Maxpunkte”
The actual track and the CTRs are visible in the map mode.
Example:
Counterclockwise
CTR1 Alpnach
=================
Point 1/7 Point 2/7 Center 3/7 Startb. 4/7 Stopb. 5/7 Point 6/7
================⇓ Point
Lat N 47’00.783 Lon E008’17.917
Ins Del
Ele Ele
7 Point 6 Point
5 Stopboarder (Dir -)
4 Startboarder (Dir -) 3Center
2Point
1 Point
6 Point 2 Point 1 Point
7 Flight Memory and Flight Analysis
In contrast to previous models, the recording mode does not need to be specifically activated as each flight is auto- matically saved.
The flight logging system used in the COMPETINO registers not only the flight altitude and speed, but also records (while the GPS receiver is on), the time, the position in the WGS84 co-ordinate system, the GPS altitude and flight speed (air speed).
The value set in the Basic Settings / Record-Interval determines the time interval in seconds after a new data record is written to the COMPETINO’s memory.
A scan rate of 1 second is advisable for tests or aerobatics flights. It is recommended to use a record interval between 5 and 10 s. Circles are still visible without producing too much data. The factory setting is 10 seconds.
The start of the flight is recognized as soon as the ground or airspeed reaches at least 10 km/h for more than 5 seconds. In each case, however, the previous flight history with up to 20 recording points is logged in the COMPETINO’s memory.
Even the last 3 minutes before the start of the logged flight can be recognized as they are recorded with a 10 second recording interval. The end of a flight is recognized if there is no movement for 60 seconds and no change in altitude (the flight analysis is then displayed). The digital signature is calculated from this moment on and a notice in the Infor- mation Field draws attention to it. Please wait until the calculation is completed. You can return to standard mode by pressing the Esc key briefly.
If manual recording is chosen, recording begins 1 minute after the instrument is switched on and continues until the Esc key is pressed for 3 seconds. The unit prompts: “Do really switch off?” Confirm with Enter. The digital signature will then be generated (which can take 1 or 2 minutes). Wait until this is done and press any key to turn the unit off.
Take into account that modifying Alt1 cannot be done after recording starts. The user field “Fl. time” starts counting at the beginning of a recording phase.
Flight Memory is situated in the first position of the Main Setup Menu. If you press the Enter key, the list of flights (stored according to date) appears. The most recent flights are in the first positions. The length of the flight is also shown. With the
or key you can move through the list and choose the desired flight with the Enter key. Individual flights can be deleted from the list by pressing F2 (Del Flg).The flight, with its benchmark figures, is indicated in the Flight-Analysis (see sample to the right).
Brief press at F1 shows the flight in the Map-mode.
A press at F2 recalculates the Digital Signature.
Main Setup Menu =================
FFFlFFFFFllillllliiiigiiigggghggghhhhthhhtttt ttt MMMMMeMMMeeeemeeemmmmmmomoooooororrrrrryryyyyyy y WWaayyppooiinnttss Routes
Restricted areas Simulation
Basic Settings Opt. SW Packages ================↓
Flightmemory ================
24.09.04 1:09:04 2233..0099..0044 11::1188::2255 18.09.04 0:11:14 15.09.04 2:38:23 30.08.04 0:09:34 24.08.04 1:23:35 ===============↓
FLIGHT-ANALYSIS Date: 23.09.04 Start: 06:19:06 Stop: 06:27:56 Fltime: 1:18:25 Scanrate: 10s Max A1: 1153m Max A2: 573m Max A3: 1418m Max Vario: 8.9m/s Min Vario:-6.6m/s Max Speed: 73 kh
Note: Before starting a flight make sure that the GPS receiver shows at least 3 receiving satellites in order to get a valid recording.
8 User Selectable Fields
In the vario display on the main screen there are a total of 9 User Selectable Fields divided over 3 pages which can be used as the pilot decides. To toggle between the pages, press
►. In total, there are about 20 measurement options available. In order to assign a field, press the
arrow key. The description of the corresponding display is highlighted with a black bar. Repeatedly pressing the key switches to the next fields. The and arrowkeys enable you to select the measurements in chapter 2.7 to be displayed:
(if nothing is changed after selecting a field, the instrument goes back to the normal function after 10 seconds and the previously shown display remains the same).
8.1 Temperature
The unit needs a temperature sensor, not only for compensation of the pressure sensors but also for automatically regulating the contrast of the display. The temperature reading can be in either Celsius or Fahrenheit (see: Main Setup Menu > Basic Settings > Units)
Note: The sensor measures the circuit board temperature. The inside temperature of the casing can be slightly higher than the ambient air temperature, especially when in direct sunlight.
8.2 Time and Date
Time, date and year does not need to be adjusted as it is automatically set by the GPS receiver. However, to set the unit to local time, any time zone difference from UTC (World time) will need to be entered, which corresponds to a positive value if the time zone is east of Greenwich or a negative if west. To change, enter Basic Settings / UTC Offset. Minimal step is 0.5 h.
The date and time will be reset after a power fail of longer than 30s. Please check after you have changed the batteries.
8.3 Flight time
The take off time is automatically recorded. The clock for the flight time starts as soon as the speed over the ground or through the air reaches more than 10 km/h. The flight time can be displayed in the User Selectable Fields. The unit will also recognize the end of the flight. In Basic Settings you can choose between manual and automatic start and end of flight recordings. (See also chap. 7 Flight Memory)
8.4 Dist Goal
When flying along a route, this field shows the counted up sections in front of the pilot . Anytime during a task he knows how many km/miles he still has to fly until goal.
8.5 Alt a. Goal
When flying along a route this field shows the counted up losses in height of all sections still in front of of the pilot. For all sections the respective wind component is taken into account.