Aircotec Primus User manual

Operating Instruction Aircotec Primus
Description of capabilities
Units of measurement:
This instrument can be used internationally. The units shown for altitude and in the vario display can easily be
switched from metres to feet and back and for speed between k.p.h., m.p.h. and Knots.
The QNH display can show readings in either hPa or ,,inches x 100”. The internal temperature can be shown in
Centigrade or Fahrenheit.
Altimeter:
Absolute altitude, “Abs”, is set at the start-point altitude above sea level. The measurement range goes up to
8,000 metres.
Altitude above QNH can be set if the current barometric pressure is known (in hPa). The setting range is from 950
to 1070 hPa.
Difference in altitude, ,,Diff, (e g above the landing ground) can also be set.
Gains and losses in altitude can be shown via the additional temporary altitude (ALTI=0).
Rate of climb or rate of sink can be measured via the additional momentary altitude reading. There is no need for
the pilot to work out the difference inhis head; he merely sets the altimeter to ,,zero while in flight.
Fixed altitudes:
The Primus may stare five start place altitudes. Once set, the pilot only has to select the preset altitude (A1-A5)
without any further altimeter adjustment.
Barometer:
If the PRIMUS is to be used as a barometer, its height above sea level must first be set. The next step is to switch
the display to QNH and read off the barometric pressure in hPa or inches. Regular observation will enable
changes in atmospheric pressure caused by the weather to be spotted as soon as they start.

Variometer:
In order to make reading the altimeter easier, rising and falling are shown both by an analogue indicator and
digitally as a figure. The range displayed by the indicator fingergoes up to ±8 m/sand in figures up to ±20 m/s.
The range shown by the finger is covered in the sector up to 4 m/s by being displayed in the relevant semi-circle
by the inner halves of the fingers with a full-length finger in front. Values from 4 to 8 m/s(8 to 16 x 100 FT/Min.)
are showed in the rest of the sector with full-length fingers.
Pointer modeSector mode
0-4m/s (0-8 x 100 FT/Min)4-8m/s (8-16x100 FT/Min)
0 –4 m/s4 –8 m/s
Audible variometer:
Rising is indicated by an audible signal issued at intervals with a changing frequency or by a continuous tone in
which the frequency changes in steps. The continuous tone indicates changes of 0.1 m/s (0,2 x 100 FT/Min.) and
is extremely useful in fine thermals.
The point at which the audible signal (CS) is set on can be adjusted.
It is set in the works for a rate-of-climb of +0.1 m/sand for a rate-of-sink of -0.1 m/s.
Type of audible warning:
Two types of interval can be set:
-intervals with a fixed length of tone and variable gaps
-intervals with the tone and the gaps of equal length and both changing at the same rate
The audible warning on the PRIMUS isas urgent as you require itto be. You have the choice between a quicker
(preferred by hanggliders) or a slower (preferred by paragliders) interval setting
In the works we set the audible warning at a slower interval with a equal Iength of tone and gaps between
the tones.

Audible rate-of-sink tone:
Falling is indicated by an audible signal which can be switched on when needed, and informs the pilot of changes
and of the rate of sink.
Thermals and down-draught fields can thus be recognized as soon as they start to happen:
-if the rate-of-sink increases, the pilot will hear a continuous tone which changes to a lower frequency as the
rate-of-sink increases.
-if the rate-of-sink decreases, the Primus indicates this with a HIGH-LOW double tone the high component of
which becomes shorter as the rate-of-sink decreases.
Once it reaches the zero level, the rate-of-sink signal is replaced by the rate-of-climb signal.
Rate-of-sink tone off-set:
The point at which the rate-of-sink tone switches over to the other kind of tone (from CONTINUOUS to HIGH-
LOW and back) is the rate-of-sink tone oft-set. This should correspond with the glider/kite/paragliders own
inherent rate-of-sink. Up draught fields can then be identified by the shortening HIGHLOW double tone, down-
draught fields by the CONTINUOUS rate-of-sink tone which changes its frequency.
The off-set point is set in the works at 1.2 m/srate-of-sink.
Signal-free zone:
In order to prevent a confusing signal from being sent out when the rate-of-sink is fluctuating around the
glider/kite/paragliders inherent rate-of-sink, and to ensure that only significant changes set off an acoustic
warning, a signal-free zone is set up covering an equal range upwards and downwards.
The size of this zone is set in the works at ±50 cm/s, so that between 0.7 m/sand 1 7 m/s rate-of-sink the pilot
will not be irritated by audible warnings.
Rate-of-sink alarm:
This warning signal will give you greater safety in flight. If the rate-of-sink exceeds a certain pre-set figure the
alarm signal (loud pulsating tones) will be set off.
The threshold is set in the works at 5 m/srate-of-sink.
Airspeed indicator:
The speed through the surrounding air is measured by a propeller-driven sensor which is connected to the Primus
by a cable. For high-precision readings, a sensor is used with a stabilizer from which a 2 metres long cable is
suspended.
Stop-watch:
The time reading is shown in minutes and seconds for the first hour, and hours and minutes thereafter.
It can be stopped for interim readings to be taken, and also re-set at 00:00.

Barograph:
Altitude can be read 0ff and stored to memory up to 8,000 metres. The interval at which altitudes are stored to
memory can be set at 5, 10, or 20 seconds.
(The “BaroPlus“ version has an additional cycle with intervals of 1 second which also registers speed for the
purpose of calculating rate-of-glide and showing polars).
A number of flights can be recorded. If the 20-second cycle is selected, the total flying time recorded in the
memory will be about 57 hours; this will be proportionately shorter if shorter intervals are selected. If the flight
currently being recorded over-runs the amount of memory capacity still available, the oldest figures recorded will
be automatically deleted to make room for the new data.
Markers can be set during the course of a flight which can later be recognized on the barogram as dotted lines.
Barograms can be printed out individually or as a package directly onto a battery-operated or mains—powered
printer. The fixed scale stretching up to 6,000 metres can be selected as the altitude scale, or which-ever scale is
best for showing the altitude graph in question.
PC software (Option):
Data can be administered and individual flights analyzed with the aid of a computer and the ,,Baromaster“ PC
soft-ware. The ,,BaroPlus“ software enables glide figures to be calculated and polars to be shown.
Log book:
Maximum altitude, flying time, greatest rate-of-climb and rate-of-sink, starting time and date (with year) of the last
10 flights are stored in the memory as are the highest readings for all flights, total flying time, and number of
flights. These readings can be seen an the instrument display.
Battery:
The PRIMUS works with two 9-volt Alkaline batteries. Battery voltage is shown every time it is switched on.
This is in the interests of your safety; Switching between the batteries 15 automatic if there is only one intact
battery in the unit, and if the voltage it is producing falls below 8.3V, the battery symbol will start to flash.
Bath batteries should then be replaced prior to the next flight.
Caution!
Duracell batteries should not be used because they are slightly too short and therefore do not exert enough
contact pressure. We recommend Japanese batteries or those from Varta or Philips.


ready

start
-stop

mark
-step
1 -set
3

enter
2.

adjust
2.

adjust
Press „SWITCH ON“ and release.
The monitor display will show:
>> all segments, >> serial number
>> tension left battery
>> tension right battery
>> year>> date >> local time
Press “SWITCH OFF” and hold down.
Summary of operating instructions
Basic functions
Press „Basic Settings“ and hold down.
Sequence:
>>vario acoustics 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 sec. Time-constant
>>vario digital 1, 2, 4, sec. Time-constant
>>climbing tone insert
>>sinking tone offset
>>signal free zone
>>sinking alarm
>>°Celsius or °Fahrenheit
>>km/h, MPH or knots
>>QNH in hPa or (Inches x 100)
>> year >>month >>local time
Change settings with button 3, 4 and 5
(sequencely 1., 2., 3.)
Backto normal use, press and hold button 3
two seconds.
The temperature of the unit and the local time
(when the Stop-watch display is activated) are
shown for a period of 3 seconds.
Change from „ALTI“ (absolute or
difference altitude) to „QNH.
green = stop watch function
blue = barograph function
yellow = settings function
•Press and release
-Press and hold down
Press simultaneously
Change from „meters“ to „feet“
Or “feet” to “meters”.
Switch sinking
tone „on or off“.
Select start place 1 or 5.
Zero-setting of differencial
altitude.
Set altitude to “zero”
(temporary altitude) and return
to “alti” with button 3.

ON
-OFF
-Basic adj.
-Time Temp.
-QNH
-ALTI
-m/FT
-ALTI 1-5

ALTI = 0
-Sink.
On / off

mark = marking while
the barogram is recording.

ready = Stop-watch is operational
(digits flashing).

start = start the stop-watch
-stop = stop the stop-watch
Switch audible signal on/off, quiet/loud. To switch
from interval to continuous signal: press 3 times.
Proceed sequentially
for all changes of
figures (e.g.QNH or
altitude setting) i.e.:
1., 2., 3.,
WORKS SETTINGS
Changes in type of tone:
When button 6 is pressed,
the unit can be started with
button 1. The required type
of tone can set withbutton 6
and entered with button 3.
1
2
3
4
5
6