Merry Christmas

from the

Swift Team!!

Flarm Mandatory Updates.
One thing that has become very evident, is the number of people who are having problems with their Flarm refusing to operate at all, when all the unit  requires is to have it's firmware updated. This is entirely normal as Flarm have embedded a failsafe into the system to make it painfully obvious when the Flarm device is not running software compatible with the mandatory updates issued by Flarm in Switzerland.  This link leads you to the Flarm site where you can download the latest FLarmtool software and the latest Flarm firmware. If you need a Flarmtool Cable grab one from our website!

If you are having trouble with your Flarm, check this first as returns to the factory, for whatever reason will attract a minimum service charge. We'd love to be able to do these for free, but time is one thing that comes at a cost. We hope you understand.

FlarmNav - I've got wind

We have been testing the new wind algorithms that will allow us to shortly release updated firmware for the FlarmNav to accurately predict winds aloft. This really does make the FlarmNav a fantastic instrument  for those clubs whose airctaft are equipped with any type of Flarm.  Keep your eye on our website and the newsletter for when this will be available.

Flarm- IGC Approval

If you have seen the FAQ on our website , you will have noticed our intention to apply for IGC approval for legacy OZFlarm devices, and the miniOZ.  Recent rumblings on the grapevine, and apparently announcements made at Narromine Cup seem to indicate that consideration is being given to relax requirements for some of the minor Certificate and badge flights in regard to IGC status on the logger used.

We have asked GFA for clarification on this and are awaiting their reply. What we have heard, but not confirmed is that apparently the IGC are looking at divesting some responsibility of management of these lower awards to the goverrning body in each country. If you know any more about this please send me an email!

Altair and XCSoar 

Having just installed an Altair and Vega in my Ventus, I have been amazed at how  open-source software provides a solution that is forever evolving.

Some might say that stability is an issue with open source software like  XCSoar, but the opposite is true. Bugs are fixed fast, several stable versions with mature feature levels are always available, and best of all, it's FREE.

You can be anywhere in the world and as long as you have internet access, you have access to the latest XCSoar software for your Altair or PDA. If there was one person to thank , I'd send them a bottle of red for Xmas, but with the number of people who help in optimising XCSoar, especially for Australian competetion task rules, I'd go broke doing so!

I had an issue with panel space in the Ventus, as I already had an NT Easy Display installed. .........OK , OK..........I had a weak moment. Fortunately for the XCSoar crew, and I think Bernard Eckey, (forgive me if I'm wrong Bernard)  for requesting a portrait version, my problems were solved. Have a look at the fantastic result!

I am building a new panel to incorporate the Vega and a FLarmNAv below the Alatair, with backup vario to the right of Altair. Altair will mount in a conventional landscape mode in this configuration. Seems there is plenty of room for all.

Instrumentation tips.

Flarm Antenna Options

Swift have only four options for Flarm antenna's. I'll list the pro's and con's of each below.

• The stubby 2db rear mount antenna - The most common antenna for Flarm giving good coverage with Flarm units mounted on the instrument panel cowl
• The wideband Remote Transmitting Antenna - for more difficult installations where you might have metalwork near your Flarm, this product allows you to mount away from the FLarm, on Canopy, on the inside top surface of the fuselage nose etc .
• The high gain 3db whip antenna - For optimum results this antenna works a treat. It comes with a short coax tail to allow connection MiniOZ and OZflarm adn is tuned to precisely to suit the frequencies used for Flarm in Ausralia. We also have  a NZ version tuned to suit our friends across the ditch. These are made in Australia, and give the best resulkts if you take a little time to find an optimum location. They are a little long at 17cm and require some ingenuity to find a place suitable in the cockpit. We suggest mounting behind your panel with a hole in the istrument cowlto let it poke through. They don't need any ground plane .
• A 4DB high gain antenna for metal aircraft and tugs.  Whoever said size doesn't count is telling a porky. If this antenna wasn't so ugly and draggy, I'd have one on the Ventus!! The best performance at the highest performance cost....does that make sense??

Your antenna installation is very important. You must follow the installation guidelines in your Flarm Manual, and regularly check your performance with the Flarm Radio Transmission Analysis tool available online at Flarm.

XCSOAR and EW Microrecorder

If you are trying to using an EW Logger with XCSoar make sure you are running XCSoar V 5.1.8 or later . This release caters for the EW logger, and allows task declarations direct from Altair. Don't get caught like I did and use the "EW Logger"  option from the comms setup page. This is the first EW product in the list of options. Keep scrolling until you see "EW Microrecorder" and you will get that smile on your face you've been looking for.

Lessons learnt with Vega

Installing the Vega was a lot of fun, but there some little "gotchas" that can make life interesting.

• "Bitching Betty" as she is affectionately called can drive you nuts while the installation process is in action, especially  the "Landing Gear not extended " message. If you are not going install switches for landing gear extension confirmation, just put a link from 12V to the appropriate pin for the Undercarriage digital input. This works a treat !
  
• If you are making any changes to Baud rates in the Vega, you'll need to cycle power on/off to get them to "take" . You can waste a lot of time getting peripherals to talk if you haven't learnt this trick.
  
• It is MOST DEFINITELY worth utilising the FANTASTIC audio mixing functions of Vega. I have wired my VHF Rdaio into Vega and now it prioritises and controls audio levels of Flarm Warnings , Airfranme switch warnings , Radio calls, and vario Audio. What a great feature, and it is all configurable!

 Competition News

• Rain, wind rain wind more rain...................the weather gods did not look down upon the fleet this year. What a shame because a lot of pilots made their way to NRM with the hopes of some excleent soaring conditions. Better luck next year guys!

Grand Prix

• Congratulations to all who competed, and especially those who got a place. See the results here . I had a few long phone calls from BB sorting oput some technical issues, which like always turned out to be something simple. It seems like the stress didn't worry him with a formidable 3rd in 18m Class. Toasts all round for Graham Parker for winning the class against a world-class field!!

Joey Glide

• Swift Avionics is sponsor at Joeyglide '08. We wish al pilots a successful meet. Vist the website for full details