Flytec at exhibition AERO 2012

Flytec AG is pleased to announce that we will be present at this year's AERO in Friedrichshafen from Wednesday, April 18th through Saturday, April 21st. We are delighted to present our pioneering eDrive systems and our well-proven flight instruments to the pilot community as well as our loyal customers. We will be located in Hall B3, booth 317 (Electric sports). Lead engineers and product developers, Peter Joder and Erich Lerch will be present to answer questions from current and future Flytec customers and also to talk shop with visitors who are eager to learn about the fascinating details of our exciting products. Peter Joder will be available at AERO on Wednesday and Thursday and Erich Lerch, on Friday and Saturday.

Remarkably improved features on Flytec 6030 and 6020

The well-proven functions of the 6020 and 6030 flight instruments have recently been expanded with the use of the SD card option. With firmware v3.34 for the 6030 and the imminent release 2.09 for the Flytec 6020 (both available at no charge) the following additional features are provided:

• Efficient data management of SD cards up to 2GB and SD-HC cards up to 32 GB. Because data volume is comparatively minimal, it is also possible to use older, smaller capacity SD-cards (in the MB range). For example: air space data of Europe is less than 2 MB and a long flight is normally not greater than 0.5MB.  
• Storage of air space data files of entire continents. 
• Establishment of known or recently discovered obstacles such as cables, no-fly zones,  and hay ropes.
• Automatic management of these files by the 6020/6030
• Storage of virtually limitless flights on SD card and fast read-out of the SD card on Mac/PC.
• Storage and read-out of waypoints on SD card in GPX format and therefore easy exchange of waypoint lists from instrument to instrument or via Mac/PC.
• Storage and read-out of routes on SD and therefore easy exchange of routes/competition tasks from pilot or task-setter directly from instrument to instrument or via Mac/PC.
• Preprogrammed SD-cards available soon (16 GB with worldwide airspace)
• Near Thermal Tone: This ingenious ”thermal snooping“ function acoustically alerts the pilot of the possible presence of a nascent or poorly centered thermal.  The tone can be configured according to pilot’s preferences and superfluous indication is prevented prior to take-off with automatic flight detection.
• Info Page: Shows the three nearest air spaces with their official designation, upper and lower limits and a comment field. The comment field may be used, for example, to show the tower radio frequency. The Info Page can be brought up at any time with a short press of the “info” key.

Flytec 6030 and 6020: Flarm Option

Based on the conclusions of aircraft accident investigators, the collision at Fiesch in 2010, which was fatal for both the glider and a paraglider pilot, could have been avoided by the use of a passive Flarm system. Using Flarm the glider pilot would have been alerted to the presence of the paraglider even if the paraglider was not immediately visible. Both the 6020 and the 6030 are available with the potentially lifesaving Flarm module for an additional charge of CHF 115.00.  6020 and 6030 instruments already in service may be retrofitted with a Flarm module for CHF 165.00. The Flarm upgrade is offered at net cost thanks to the support of the Swiss hang gliding association (SHV) and also by REGA. These associations appeal to the pilot community to take advantage of this modest expense to increase their safety.

Flytec 6030 and 6020: Bluetooth SMS Option

The 6020 and 6030 is available with an optional Bluetooth module for communication between the instrument and a mobile phone. The Flytec Bluetooth SMS Option enables the pilots to transmit their current position via SMS. Using this system, it is not necessary to purchase an additional SIM card or addition service from cell phone provider.  However, it is necessary that the mobile phone used supports DUN.  Note: It is not possible to install both the Flarm option and the SMS option in the same instrument.

Flytec 6015

Since its initial release, considerable improvements and new functions have been added to the 6015. These upgrades have been made available at no cost with a simple firmware update by the user. Many of the new functions are particularly suited for OLC and competition pilots. These new functions also make the 6015 very suitable as a primary and or backup competition instrument. Some of the new functions are: Track recording in IGC format 200 Waypoints Calculated wind speed and direction Near Thermal Tone for the detection of weak or nascent thermals Restructured and easier to read information display Final approach functions such as actual glide ratio and glide ratio required to facilitate approach to goal Improved Competition Task Entry allows multiple start gates and ability to define any cylinder as Entry or Exit, which allows new complex tasks to be flown correctly.

Firmware v1.3.07 also fixes some minor bugs and improves overall system stability. The firmware update is very easily performed with the resources on the Flytec website.

Electro-Thermal flight with Flytec

In a very short time, Flytec has established itself as complete-system supplier of innovative electric drive motors designed by Werner Eck and Joachim Geiger. Following a successful experimental period at the beginning of this year, the German hang gliding authority (DHV) has approved the new eLift electric self-launch system for hang-gliders.  We are hopeful that Oliver Padlina will soon be successful in his efforts to legalize the use of this eco-friendly means of flying in Switzerland. You can find the latest news on this subject at www.feelv6.ch/elektro.  In the meantime, Swiss hang glider pilots who want to become familiar with the electric flight can cross the border, for example, into Germany North of Lake of Constance, or into France West of Jura. Relevant information is also available on the Flytec website.

This past February Norbert Bächler proved at Lake Schwarzsee how well the new Flytec eDrive system performs under stringent conditions where he smoothly performed take-offs at minus 12 °C with his solar hang-glider trike. The infrastructure of Norbert‘s solar trike is fascinating and even more environmentally friendly. One solar panel is mounted on the transport trailer together with some lead acid batteries. A few days in a sunny location and the lead acid batteries are fully charged and allow for several and even long flights. With two 60Ah batteries on his
hang glider trike he is able to fly for one hour without any thermal help. In the weeks ahead, Flytec will organize a meeting in Switzerland for individuals interested in electric drive for hang-gliders. Further information on this subject is also available on the Flytec website.
For paragliders, the experimental period for the “virtual cage” eDrive motor system has been extended one year. The virtual cage system, which facilitates safe flying without a protective cage, is indeed so recent and futuristic that the responsible authorities require more time for study. All pilots, after receiving appropriate training, who soar with the Virtual cage system are enthusiastic about the new feeling of freedom in the air. Related information and impressive video can be found on the Flytec website and on YouTube.