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Bicester Aviation Services |
IGC Approved Secure Flight Recorders - Part 4
In this part, I am going to evaluate one of the first flight recorders on the
market, the Peschges VP8 and then go on to describe one of the first combined
variometer and flight recorder systems, the Filser LX5000/DX50.
SFR 1 - Introduction to SFRs
SFR 3 - Volkslogger and Cambridge GPS/NAV
This Page - SFR 4 - Peschges VP8 & Filser LX5000IGC/DX50IGC
SFR 5 - Cambridge 302/302A and LX7000 IGC Pro
SFR 6 - Comparison of current SFRs
The unit has a fixed logging rate of 6 seconds. It can store up to 255
waypoints and a task using these waypoints can be declared. However, the
entry and manipulation of the way points can only be done by connecting to a
PC using the comprehensive software programme supplied. The push button
cycles through a series of screens that give basic navigational information
and pressure altitude. The push button can also be used to active the pilot
event marker (PEV).
The VP8 detects turbo engine operation by sensing the output voltage on pin
10 of the Ilec turbo control box as fitted to Schempp Hirth gliders. Pin 10 of the
control box has a voltage level which is proportional to engine RPM. In
order to activate this feature, pin 10 of the control box has to be connected
to one of the input pins on the VP8. Furthermore, this electrical connection
has to be sealed and correct operation verified by an Official Observer both
before and after flight. Full details are in the FAI/IGC approval document.
While the VP8 is a robust, well engineered product, it is expensive when its
features are compared with later products from other manufacturers.
Furthermore the method of detecting engine operation is restrictive and
labourious.
The flight recorder is powered by the glider 12 volt supply and is
automatically turned on when the vario is powered up. The unit will accept
voltages from 9 to 36 volts with a total consumption (vario, GPS and
recorder) of about 300 m/a. All the relevant sensors, such as the GPS and
the altimeter, are common to both the vario system and flight recorder. A
series of configuration pages are provided to set up the vario system and one
of the pages enables the user to configure the flight recorder parameters. The
default recording rate is 20 seconds but it can be changed as required. In
addition to the normal recording rate, a faster recording rate can be selected
when close to the TP and this normally defaults to 2 seconds. With a 10
second recording rate selected, the total memory capacity is 15 hours and
when full, the memory 'rolls over', deleting the oldest flight records.
The unit can be pre-programmed with up to 5000 airfields and 600 user
selected turn points. Up to 100 tasks can be stored in the unit and recalled
as necessary. One of the tasks can be electronically declared for FAI
badge/record purposes. The graphical page can be configured to show either
the FAI photo sector or a cylinder, and the gliders entry into the TP zone can
be seen graphically. Engine operation is recorded automatically by means
of a built in microphone which produces a clear indication of engine running
in the analysis programme. After flight, the flight recorder data has to either
be transferred to a lap top PC or a Filser LX20, LX21 or Colibri flight
recorder. It can then be taken to a desk top PC for analysis.
The LX5000 performs well as a flight recorder and is an ideal solution if the
owner wants a combined unit that is using the same GPS information for both
navigation and verification, an important factor in today's competition
enviroment. On the debit side, it requires access to a lap top computer or
another Filser recorder to transfer the flight data, and should the barographic
element need to be calibrated, then the whole unit has to demounted from the
glider and taken to a calibration chamber.
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Contact: Dickie Feakes at 01869 245948 or 07710
221131. Email: dickie@bas.uk.net |