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Introducing the Altair / Vega - Advanced Glide computer and latest technology variometer

Exciting news for gliding Australia, we would like to introduce the latest high performance variometer and glide computer on the market - Vega variometer and Altair glide computer. This combination will provide features not previously available to pilots. Briefly I will cover some key inovation:

Vega Variometer is a voice system that incorporates standard vario audio plus voice announcements for average thermal readback, FLARM traffic ( when coupled to our OzFLARM system ) speed alerts, stall warning ( yes they have a stall warning system available for gliders! ) gear warning , drink water reminders as well as custom messages. The variometer uses latest technology pressure transducers ( 4 ! ) which are temperature compensated as well as using DSP techniques for software filtering ensuring accurate measurements - always. The use of accelerometers further enhances performance making this the most exciting developemt in recent times.

OzFlarm messaging for situation awareness. Different user selectable levels of alert offer true "eyes out of the cockpit " situation awareness.

IGC back up logger files and software updates possible via supplied SD card!

Altair Pro Glide computer and display.

WARNING - staring at this screen will give you an irresistable urge to go gliding! To put it simply this display is the best I have ever seen. Installed in my Ventus2cx it is fully readable in direct sunlight - Guaranteed! Throw away those tiny hard to see PDA\\\'s! This has a large 5.7inch diagonal screen (heaps bigger than a PDA AND no need for external cabling and swivel mount ) with easy to use functional push buttons for hotkey operation and small rotary encoder knob with push button for scrolling. The manufacturers avoided the use of touchscreens as they are not suitable for aviation ( how many Garmin 430\\\'s etc have this? ), you loose some contrast and it does not avoid mechanical damage and damage caused by UV light exposure - believe us, they will eventually fail.The computer and software is based on the freeware XcSoar which has been running for years on PDA\\\'s around the world. This version of XcSoar has been tailored for Altair and optimised for xc soaring and comp use by pilot feedback over the last 12 months making this the only fully debugged system on the market! There are too many features to list here so we have provided a link to the Triadis website so you can view the products. Rf Developments is the Sole Australian and New Zealand distributor - please contact us for pricing. (see www.triadis.ch )

Further technical enhancements allow operation in 40 plus degree heat ( recently demostrated at Benalla when the ground temperature was 42! ). Really low power consumption - far superior to a PDA as they do not use excessive backlighting, rather the screen is transflective allowing natural light to aid viewability and a light sensor to control the backlight.

IGC approved data logger ( Altair PRO - pending IGC approval Q2 2008) - no more dragging the P.C to the glider or dumping your valuable datalogger in a box for the evening, this beuty allows downloading to an SD card for easy presentation to the scorer. Software updates via SD or flash memory stick. Additional to the inbuilt logger in the Pro version are a set of back up batteries that will run the Altair for an additional 60 minutes should ships power be depleted. These are charged by ships power when not in use.Another feature of the Pro is the 16 channel GPS used in the logger also drives the main program for navigation with 4 updates per second.

Display of flarm traffic, obstacles, terrain , airspace , AAT, FAI , what if I turn home now , fly to nearist - the list is endless. The screen allows you to set it up a simple or as advanced as you like - KISS mode or Geek mode - your choice. This system is suited for club flying, local X/C soaring or advanced comp pilot or record breaker - customise the screen to suit the pilot, not to suit the manufacturer or his programmer!

Note: We recommend using the Vega vario engine with Altair as this was the original design philosophy but due to a large number of existing installations already having a C302 or Borgelt B50/500 you can just order the Altair which works with these units.However, some of the upload features used for Vega are not used in the other systems, like customising the vario tones, setting low voltage thresholds, changing the flap switch settings etc. Whilst not show stoppers sometimes it is nice to be able to do these things via a software control menu.