Details

Tasman FP10 Vario Engine

New FP10 Flight Pack - Flight Data Module
The FP10 Flight Pack is an innovative new product which can turn a Tasman V1000 Variometer into a speed-to-fly variometer when used with a PDA running soaring flight software.  The speed-to-fly information is sent to the PDA and displayed on the PDA's screen (not on the face of the Tasman V1000).  The FP10 has built-in Pitot, Static and Outside Air Temperature sensors which allow it to send barometric pressure and airspeed data to the PDA.  It also passes GPS data from an external GPS (not included) and vario data from the Tasman V1000 variometer on to the PDA. If you already own a Tasman V1000 variometer and use soaring flight software on a PDA then the FP10 is a low cost way to upgrade to a speed-to-fly variometer with accurate airspeed, pressure altitude and vector wind data.  If you don't already own a Tasman V1000 variometer then the combination of V1000 and FP10 is less expensive than other speed-to-fly variometers.  I also like the modularity of the system.  You can start with the V1000 only and upgrade it to a speed-to-fly variometer by adding an FP10, PDA and GPS at a later time.  At that point is offers all the flight data found in much more expensive flight computers.  The only feature missing is that there is no audio sound for the speed-to-fly.  It is displayed graphically on the PDA only. 

Two Versions of the FP10

• FP10
  If your soaring GPS can provide 5V power for the PDA then the FP10 will pass the 5V power through to the PDA as well. 
• FP10-s5V
  If your GPS does not provide 5V power for the PDA then FP10-s5V version can efficiently convert 12V power from your glider battery into 5V power for the PDA.

Data Sent to PDA

• GPS Data - All GPS Data (GPS not included) from an external GPS is passes through the FP10 to the PDA.
• Variometer (current value) - Used by the Thermal Assistant in SeeYou Mobile and other soaring software to help you find the center of the current thermal.  Also used for thermal history graphs on the PDA.
• Variometer Average - Displayed on the face of the Tasman V1000 Variometer and made available to the PDA software.
• True Airspeed (TAS) - The Outside Air Temperature gauge and barometric pressure sensor make it possible to calculate True Airspeed.  The PDA can use the GPS data (ground speed) and True Airspeed data to calculate accurate vector wind speed and direction.
• Barometric Altitude - Sent to the PDA and used to calculate the True Airspeed.

Compatible Soaring Flight Software
The soaring flight software listed below uses the flight data supplied by the FP10.

• XCSoar
• Soaring Pilot
• SeeYou Mobile (click on image below to view larger version)
  

Included with the FP10 Flight Pack

• FP10 Flight Pack Module
• Data Cable for connecting FP10 to V1000 Variometer, 6-wire RJ cable
• 2 Tubing Tees
• Installation Manual

Compatibility
The FP10 Flight Pack must be used with a Tasman V1000 variometer with a software revision of version 3.2 or higher.  This revision has been supplied since late 2006.  Upgrades are available here: V1000 Upgrade