There was much discussion at the IGC meeting about proposed changes to flarm.
There is a growing discussion about the use of flarm in competitions. Its use in safety improvement – alerting pilots of potential conflict, appears to be at odds with its use as a tactical tool. Pilots now have the capacity to obtain data from the flarm signal to identify which glider is visible, its height and rate of climb. This causes two problems: Firstly, pilots are spending a lot of time staring at their flarm screen which reduces time looking out of the window. Secondly, pilots are turning off their flarm so that other pilots cannot see what they are doing, so the safety benefit is removed. The other issue is the increased use of tracking receivers which takes flarm data and then uploads this onto a web display. This is providing real time data on tracks and location of the various gliders, and many pilots are now turning off their flarm to protect their data. Flarm manufacturers are rolling out a new software version which attempts to provide a solution to these issues. The stealth mode is being improved to provide better safety features, and to introduce a No tracking setting which ensures tracking is only available via official flarm receivers/transmitters. Terry ---- Gary Stevenson <gstev...@bigpond.com> wrote: > Mike, > > You are probable right on the mark here. > > However, in this instance, I have no argument with their approach. > > The record shows that this device has saved lives (just as parachutes have > saved lives). Do we begrudge Parachute Manufacturers making an honest > living from their enterprise? > > Limiting entry of competition, where possible, has always been a valid > business principle. > > I am almost certain that the guys from (FLARM, Switzerland), monitor this > forum. Perhaps they might like to make comment? > > Gary > > > > From: aus-soaring-boun...@lists.internode.on.net > [mailto:aus-soaring-boun...@lists.internode.on.net] On Behalf Of Mike > Borgelt > Sent: Saturday, 14 March 2015 7:41 PM > To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. > Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] FLARM update > > > > At 05:54 PM 14/03/2015, you wrote: > > > > FYI: > FLARM has now published it's latest update - v6. > It's available here:Â http://flarm.com/support/firmware-updates/ > > The protocols in the current version (v5) and new version (v6) are > supposedly totally incompatible, so please update your FLARMs before next > flight or you won't be able to see pilots with the other version. > > <soapbox opinion> I think it's very irresponsible of FLARM to publish a > backwards incompatible upgrade like this. I am glad I am not flying in the > Alps this weekend. </opinion> > > > > I gather it is to prevent competitors from producing compatible hardware > without paying royalties to Flarm. > > Mike > > > _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
