XCsoar |
by John Scott | Return to Reference page |
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| Contents: | Introduction | Execution and Use | Issues and Tips |
This is being provided in conjunction with the XCSoar Manual (pdf) so you can learn to operate and use XCsoar in the safety of your home. Unless you are familiar with it, you shouldn't fly with it. This is not a system to try and learn in the air. The iPAQ and XCsoar provide all of the flight logging capability we need for OLC and general flight review. They are not adequate for badge flight submission.
As with most flight computer software, the information displayed can be configured for personal choice. I have configured XCsoar for the Frog Flyers based on my experience flying with flight computers regularly for several years. It is set up with the primary focus being OLC type free task type flying rather than competition type flying. It will give you information about where you are and what your current soaring performance is, so you the map and where landable fields are, tell you exactly what you need to get home (direction, distance, and performance (altitude) needed). On the auxiliary set of info boxes, it will give you an approximation of your OLC points for the flight so far.
This file needs to be unzipped/inloaded into the directory "My
Documents/XCsoar".
The program XCSOAR.EXE is the PC version that you need
to run, however, by default this will start up in a landscape mode.
With the iPAQ we have for the GROB, it needs to be run in Portrait mode to
look the same.
You have 2 choices - read
the manual
or use the file "Frog_Flyers_Startup" to start XCsoar running.
If you select the "Xcsoar-registry" profile, you will get the default XCsoar
configuration.
If you want to reconfigure the info boxes, etc. I suggest
you copy the "Frog_Flyers.prf" file and rename it with your name.
If you get a SD card to use with the iPAQ, we can transfer that file to it
and you can then fly with your choosen customizations.
You should read
the manual
about what keys on your keyboard do what.
Generally you simulate the use of your finger, by using the mouse pointer
and clicking the mouse button.
Clicking twice in the middle of the map will bring up the soft keys.
Click twice on "Config", the click on "Replay". Click in the File box and
you will get a list of log files.
Select a logfile, then click "Start" and then "Close".
This will begin the
replay of the log file and you can see how the various info boxes display
information and how the map works.
The log files starting with "0a..." and
"094..." are flights in the Meadow Lake area.
The logfiles starting with
"09f..." and "09g..." are flights out of Moriarty.
All maps for Colorado and New Mexico are included.
Waypoints for Colorado are included.
I'll get New Mexico added at some point.
You can add your own log files by putting them in the "My
Documents/XCsoar/logs" directory.
You can also download log files from the
OLC and place them in that directory and replay them as well.
These are the same files as the one I have loaded on the iPAQ (which is now
in the office of Randy's Hangar).
All of the above instructions also apply
to using the iPAQ if you want to see what flights will look like on the
actual device.
Note that the iPAQ needs to be kept on the charging cradle
between flights (with the cradle plug in) so that the batteries stay
charged.
You don't want to charge them from the glider batteries.
It will deplete the glider batteries very quickly.
Charging the iPAQ in the plane about triples the current draw.
If you are interested in using XCsoar, use these files and
the manual
I sent last week to start learning.
If you have an questions or problems, let me know.
There is also a hardcopy of
the manual
in the hangar office, where it
should remain.
Execution and Use
Once the Xcsoar window opens you should click on the "SIM" button.
If you click on "FLY" it will try to find a connected GPS.
On the next screen, at
the bottom, is lists the profile to be used.
Click in this box and you will
get a list of profiles you can select.
Select "FROG_Flyers", then
"continue".
You should now be looking at the basic screen.
This is exactly the same thing you will need to do with the iPAQ as well.
Issues and Tips
There is at least one problem with the airspace file and how it maps the COS
class C space and specifically the Meadow Lake Notch.
It is wrong and you
will get lots of airspace warnings at the beginning of flights.
I'll get this fixed at some point as well.