Aircotec XC-trainer Series User manual

Manual V1.00_2009_V5
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
Congratulations!
With the AIRCOTEC XC-Trainer you have purchased a Swiss Quality
product that will put at your disposal not only the most advanced
electronics but also a revolutionising user-friendliness and a ruggedness
that all together will combine to make your flights more pleasurable.
We hope it will accompany you on many great flights!
AIRCOTEC XC-Trainer
All the information contained in this manual has been gathered with
attention to detail and care. It is not however intended as a
comprehensive product characteristics description, and AIRCOTEC is
only liable to the extent stipulated in the sales conditions.
Copying or propagating this handbook, any of the associated software,
or parts thereof, is only allowed with written consent from AIRCOTEC.
Please note that changes in the name of technical progress may occur.
XC-Trainer is a Registered Trademark of AIRCOTEC.
Copyright 2009 AIRCOTEC
Author Helmut Pölzl
Translated to English by Mads Syndergaard
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
Safety information
The XC-Trainer is equipped with an advanced 20 channel GPS receiver. With sufficient
satellite coverage this will guarantee very high position accuracy.
Maps with inaccurate altitudes, incorrect altitude settings (pilot error) or simple instrument
defects may lead to erroneous altitude indications. The pilot should always fly based on
their own sound judgement and skills, and not rely solely on any instrument. This is
particularly the case when flying with reduced visibility or when landing.
The manufacturer is not liable for damage incurred due to erroneous altitude or position
indication by the instrument.
Consulting or even working with, the instrument should only be done when the situation
allows it – otherwise please rely on the acoustic signals.
The XC-Trainer must be mounted in a way that does not endanger neither pilot nor
tandem passenger (if applicable) in any way. Always make sure the XC-Trainer is
mounted so that it does not impede the pilot’s movements in the air on when
launching/landing. Finally it is important to check that neither instrument nor part thereof
may come loose, fall down and possibly hurt someone during the flight.
The XC-Trainer should always be secured using the safety lanyard,
see illustration.
Before launching the pilot should verify that the instrument is working and that the
rechargeable battery has sufficient power to last the entire flight.
The XC-Trainer is spray-proof but not waterproof. Should water manage to find it’s way
into the instrument we recommend opening the instrument and removing the batteries
immediately. Then the innards may be dried carefully with a hair dryer (never attempt to
dry in a microwave oven!). Should the instrument become flooded with seawater it must be
thoroughly rinsed with fresh water before drying. Following this a comprehensive check at
AIRCOTEC is then required.
You use the XC-Trainer at you own risk. The manufacturer is not liable for damage or loss
resulting from the use of the instrument, or the software included in the package.
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
Maintenance and care
The XC-Trainer is a technologically advanced and reliable instrument. With the
proper maintenance and care it will give you many hours of trouble-free service. Not
following these simple guidelines may severely compromise you flight instrument:
Never drop the XC-Trainer or expose it to hard shocks/impacts
Never drop in water. Ensure that water does not penetrate the instrument cover.
It is NOT waterproof, and particularly salt water may lead to extensive damage
to the electronics. Protect from salt-water spray, rain and humidity. Should the
instrument get wet wipe it dry immediately? In case of water getting inside the
instrument we suggest you let us check it for you at AIRCOTEC.
Protect the instrument from extreme temperatures. Both extreme highs and lows
adversely affect battery performance and lifespan, and high temperatures in
combination with humidity will accelerate any corrosion.
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
Include with your instrument
XC-trainerEasy_Basic or XC-trainerEasy+_Basic
Instrument
Quick charger for the battery
Manual
USB cable (only for XC-TrainerEasy+)
Instrument in Set:
XC-trainerEasy_BH or XC-trainerEasy_GZH or XC-trainerEasy_DH
XC-trainerEasy+_BH or XC-trainerEasy+_GZH or XC-trainerEasy+_DH
Instrument
Quick charger fort he battery
Bag
Manual
Mounting system of your choice
Software TN-Complete
USB cable over speedbord (for Easy)
Leg fixation
Paraglider
fixation
Hanggliding
fixation
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
Contents (page 10-16)
Page
1. XC-Trainer Technical Specification
1.0 Instrument discrition 10
1.1 Altiude 11
1.2 Vario 11
1.3 Speed 11
1.4 Temperatur sensor (only for Easy+) 11
1.5 GPS receiver 11
1.6 Data transfer rotocol 11
1.7 Clock 11
1.8 Memory 11
1.9 Power supply 11
1.10 Dimension 11
2. XC-Trainer Firmware
2.1 Firmware Version V1.00 12
2.2 Flight Recorder 12
2.3 Waypoints and routes 12
2.4 Available data in the display 12
2.4.1 Permanent displays 12
2.4.2 Additional information in the BaroKompass-Modus12
2.4.3 Additional information in the Thermal-Modus 12
2.4.4 Additional information in the Vario-Modus 12
3. Important Information 13
3.1 Charging the integrated battery 13
3.2 Auto OFF 13
4. Key function -overview 14
5. Switching the XC-Trainer ON/OFF 15
6. Flight recording menus
6.1 List display overview 16
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
Contents (page 17-27)
Page
7. Key function in flight recording mode
7.1 General 17
7.2 Setting a position Mark 17
7.3 Zoom-function 17
7.4 ALT 0 in VARIO display 17
7.5 Setting the volume level 17
7.6 Ending a Flight Recording 17
8. Flight Recording
8.1 Automatic Start 18
8.1.1 Satellite search 18
8.1.2 Auto-Start flight recording 18
8.2 Manual Start
19
8.2.1 Manual start 19
8.2.2 Manual altitude setting 19
8.3 Ordinary flight recording 20
8.4 BaroCompass-Mode
21
8.5 Thermal Mode Windspeed curve 22
8.5.1 Basic wind curve display 22
8.5.2 Active wind curve 22
8.6 Thermal Help display 23
8.6.1 Thermal Help display 23
8.6.2 Visualised thermal 23
8.7 Vario display 24
8.7.1 Large VARIO display 24
9. Menu Screens Overview
9.1 Menu Overview 25
9.2 Descriptions 26
10. Setting Altitude 27
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
Contents (page 27-40)
Page
11. Landing place
11.1 Search landing place 27
11.2 Save landing place 27
12. Logbook
12.1 Flight send to PC 28
12.2 Flight delete or send to PC 28
13. All Flight 29
14. General Setting
14.1 Vario menu 29
14.2 UTC or LOCAL time 29
14.3 Untis 29
14.4 Contrast 29
14.5 Factory Set 29
15. Vario Settings
15.1 Sinkacoustic ON / OFF 30
15.2 Sink tone threshold 30
15.3 Sink tone modulation 30
15.4 Sink tone inversion 30
15.5 Vario sensitivity 30
15.6 Volume 30
15.7 Vario Null 30
15.8 Sound Setting 30
15.9 Vario Frequency 30
15.10 Sound check 30
16. Coordinate
16.1 Koordinate 32
18. Flight send to PC over TN-Complete
17.1 Connection with PC 33
17.2 TN-Complete install 33
17.3 TN-Complete setting 33, 34, 35
17.4 Transfer the flight to TN-Complete 36, 37, 38, 39
17. Accessories 40
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
1. XC-Trainer Technical Specifications
1.0 Technical description XC-Trainer
Key (Key1- Key2 - Key3)
Loudspeaker Identification plate
with Serial numbe
r
XCT Fixation
Charger connection
Speedboard USB and
S
p
eed senso
r
Safety lanyard
fixation
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
1. XC-Trainer Technical Specifications
1.1 Altitude display
-1000m to +8200m, resolution 1m
1.2 Vario display
Digital indication from -90.0 m/s to +90.0 m/s
Analog indication from 0 – 5m/s and 5 – 9,5m/s
Acoustic signal for climbing initiates at +0.1m/s
Acoustic signal for sink can be set to initiate
between –0.1m/s and –5m/s.s
Settings in MENU/SETTINGS/VARIO From –5m/s a sink alarm will be
heard regardless of settings
1.3 Speed
(Only with speed sensor connected) 0 – 160km/h
1.4 TemperatureThe sensor is placed on the right hand side of the instrument. It
measures in centigrade from –25 to +75 degrees, resolution 0.1
degrees
1.5 GPS receiver
20 channel parallel, 2D/3D position (WGS84), Altitude, speed,
direction. Internal aerial
1.6 Data transfer protocols
XCTrainerEasy: USB connection over Speedbord
XC-TrainerEasy+: USB connection
1.7 Clock
Flight recording in UTC
Display shows local time and elapsed time since launch
1.8 Memory
Flight data: 1MB flash, 184 in the circular buffer
1.9 Power supply
Rechargeable Li-Ion 3.7V/1800mAh. Operating time per charging
app. 36 hours. The instrument is equipped with an “intellicharge”
system
To protect the Li-Ion battery the XC-Trainer will shut itself down before
the battery is completely flat, saving all flight data beforehand
Power consumption 50 mA
1.10 Dimensions
137x66x28mm, weight including battery 157g
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
2. XC-Trainer Firmware
2.1 Firmware Version V1.00 -2009
Info for version Firmware may be found at www.aircotec.com
2.2 Flight Recorder
The integrated flight recorder saves position, altitude, climb/sinkrate,
SOG, TAS (with speed sensor), heading and temperature (only XCT-
Easy+) every second for up to 18 hours
2.3 Waypoints
3 Waypoint can be stored
2.4 Available data in the display
2.4.1 Permanent displays
Speed SOG and TAS (TAS with sensor attached), altitude,
climb/sinkrate and heading. Wind speed and –direction
Graphical speed distribution curve with head- and tailwind indication,
distance to turnpoint, local time and elapsed time since launch
2.4.2 Additional information in the BaroCompass mode
Flight direction in Track UP, distance and bearing to next waypoint or
to a MARK. Glide angle from the last 5, 10 or 30sec.
Show the Compass.
2.4.3 Additional information in Thermal mode
Flight direction in Track UP, distance and bearing to next waypoint or
to a MARK. Graphic climb rate distribution with wind drift
compensation. Resolutions 1km x 1km, 2km x 2km
2.4.4 Additional information in the Vario mode
Analogue vario bar with 0-5m/s and 5-9,5 m/s resolution, Digital Vario
from +-25 m over pressure sensor and +- 90m over GPS altitude.
Distance and heading to next waypoint or Mark. Large Digital Vario
display, large altitude display, null able altimeter ALT0 average vario
for the last 10, 20 or 30 seconds, Glide angle for the last 10 sec.
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
3.Important Information
Important!
Please read before using the Instrument
3.1 Charging the integrated battery
The instrument must be charged before the first use. At the time of delivery, the battery is
charged to 50% (this is the ideal condition for a Li-Ion battery)
Only charge using the charger delivered with your XC-Trainer. Charging is completed
when the red light is extinguished. For your on-the-road needs we also provide a car
charger (parts number: XC-CAR-charger).
3.2 Auto Off
The instrument will turn itself off after 8 minutes if no keys are activated. This feature will
eliminate your risk of showing up on launch with an empty battery. During flight the
automatic shut-down function is deactivated.
When the battery is almost empty the instrument will begin to turn itself off. Any running
flight recording will be duly saved.
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
4. Key function - overview
Key 1 K1 Key 2 K2 Key 3 K3
Switch ON :
By pressing for > 0,3sec
----------------------------------
In Start Menu:
> OFF:
Switch the instrument off
----------------------------------
In Flight mode:
In BaroCompass Display:
> select bearing point
In Thermal Display:
> Set Marks
In Vario Display
> Set ALT0
----------------------------------
In Menu :
> Down / forwards
In Start Menu:
> Manual start
Flight recorder
----------------------------------
In Flight mode:
In BaroCompass Display:
> select bearing point
In Thermal Display:
> Zoom 1 and 2km
In Vario Display:
> adjust sound volume
----------------------------------
In Menu :
> Up / Backwards
In Start Menu:
> MENU:
In main menu
----------------------------------
In Flight mode:
> Toggle mode/screens
----------------------------------
In Menu :
> select
> switch to other display
> Back / Exit
End of the flight recording
K1 Press both buttons about 3 sec. K3
In certain cases all keys may have other functions as well, indicated by the text in the display
above each key. As an example, if you’re about to delete a flight the XC-Trainer will ask you
if this is really your intention, and you confirm by pressing Key 2 or deny by pressing Key 1
NO YES
K1 K2 K3
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
5.0 Switching the XC-Trainer ON/OFF
To switch on:
Press Key1 for app. 0.3 seconds -> The SwitchOn display is shown for 4
seconds, then it switches to the Start Menu
Switch ON Display Start Menu (B0)
Instrument
Type
ca.4sec
Date
Software
Version Time
(with GPS)
Serial Altitude
Number GPS Altitude
Batterie Temperature
Status (only for XCT Easy+)
INFO: Automatic switch OFF
Bar decreases in size from right to left
if no keys are activated the instrument Key3 >
shuts off after 8 minutes.
Switch OFF: Main menu (B10) see 9.1
Press Key 1 briefly
INFO: Up until two seconds after the
battery indicator appears the instrument
may be switched off.
Starts a new flight recording:
Press Key 2 briefly
BaroCompass mode appears in the display
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
6. Flight recording menus
6.1 Menus-displays overview:
The flight mode contains 3 screens.
NOTE: The following screenshots are examples from flight and do not match the screen
at launch.
BaroCompass Display (Ill. 1)
(Details 8.4)
The default screen to appear when a new flight is initiated is the
BaroCompass screen. Press the Key3 briefly to toggle between the
BaroCompass, the Thermal and the Vario screens. When the
instrument is set to manual in Settings, these three screens are
displayed one after the other for each short click on Key3 . In Auto
mode (recognised by the small A in the centre right) the instrument
automatically switches between BaroCompass and Thermal mode,
when climbing to Thermal, when gliding to BaroCompass. Toggle to
Vario to void the auto setting.
Thermal Display (Ill. 2)
(Details 8.6)
In this screen the thermals are visualised as clouds of pixels on the
screen. After some thermalling the shape of the thermal should
become apparent. The display is wind-drift compensated. After 1 full
circle the wind distribution curve appears on the screen.
.
VARIO Display (Ill. 3)
(Details 8.7)
Main information in Vario display.
Large glide angle display
Analog Vario, Digital Vario, Average Vario
Altitude, Alt0
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
7. Key function in Flight Recording mode
7.1 General
Toggle between the available displays/screen by pressing Key3 .
7.2 Set MARK only in the thermal display
Any interesting spot (thermals etc.) can be instantly marked using Key1 . The Position
Marks are consecutively marked from 1 through 3.
Press the Mark key in Thermal mode to set a Mark and switch to the BaroCompass
screen, where the instrument will suggest ‘Mark1’. Use Key1 ↑and Key2 ↓to select
another name (Mark 2, Mark3). Default is Mark1.
.
7.3 ZOOM Function in the Thermal display
Key2 changes the resolution (zooms) in screens 1x1km 2x2km and A 1x1km A2x2km.
The A is for automatic Display-switching between BaroCompass display and Thermal
display.
7.4 Altitude null in VARIO display (screen 3)
A short click on Key1 in VARIO mode nulls the Altitude. When launching this value is
always set to 0.
7.5 Setting the volume level in Vario display
Short clicks on Key2 switch the volume from OFF ,1 ,2 and 3.
The little symbol in the digital vario display indicates the current setting
(OFF> , LOW> , MEDIUM> , LOUD> )
7.6 Ending a Flight Recording
Holding down K3 and K1 for about 2sec ends the flight.
- If no GPS position fix has been acquired:
Using Key1 and Key3 to end results in the display text “OFF””, and no flight is recorded.
- Once a GPS position fix has been acquired:
Using Key1 and Key3 to end results in the display text “Storing flight”, then “AUTO OFF”,
whereupon the instrument shuts down.
All settings made during the flight, like volume, screen resolution etc. are stored as the
instrument shuts down.
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
8.0 Automatic-Start Flight recording
8.1.1 Acquiring GPS signal
As soon as the instrument is switched on it begins
acquiring GPS signal. First available is a 2D position fix,
followed by 3D.
2 D Mode < 4 Satellites and no GPS altitude
3 D Modus >= 4 Satellites, GPS altitude.
Once 3D is available the bottom display reads 'OFF’
MENU'.
The flight recording may be initiated as soon as the display
reads 'OFF MENU' ,.
8.1.2 Beginning the flight
10 km/h or +1/-1m/s
The recording starts when either of the following conditions
is met:
a) 5 Seconds >= 10 km/h Groundspeed if GPS acquired.
b) 5 Seconds >= 1 m/s climb/sink barometric.
When the instrument commences recording it sets a position mark called Takeoff and
the flight duration begins at zero. These are visible in Thermal Mode.
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
8.2 Manual Start flight recording
The flight recording may also be initiated manually from the Switch-On menu,
8.2.1 Manual Start
The flight recording may also be initiated before the
instrument has acquired a position fix
START flight recording:
Click Key2 to go to the flying screens
The actual recording will however only commence once the
instrument has acquired a position fix
8.2.2 Setting the altitude manually
If the launch altitude is known it may be entered manually in
MENU / ALTI SET
Use Key1 to decrease, Key2 to increase
and Key3 to confirm
QNH display:
For the QNH display (in hPa) to be correct the current
instrument altitude must be calibrated before the flight. Note
that QNH is only relevant below app. 200m and will only be
displayed up to this altitude. As the barometric sensor ages,
different instruments may show different altitudes – the
accuracy of the altitude measuring is not affected by this.
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Manual V1.00_2009_V5
8.3 Ordinary Flight recording
The top half of th isplays 1, 2 and 3 hae d s the following info:
Speed Over Ground (SOG)
North up
(in this case SSE)
s 2)
wing symbols are
used:
( off
Alti (only screens 1 and 2)
Wind speed
Vario Digital
(only screens 1 and 2)
Wind direction
Volume indicator
(only creens 1 and
The follo
, low , mean ,
loud ) Details 7.5
on (heading)
peed distribution curve, with wind
dicator and SOG bar
Details 8.5).
attery indicator in Flight mode:
reen
ry indicator
w
orresponds to 3,4V and app.
nutes of remaining operation. At
2.8V the flight is stored and the
instrument shuts down.
Flight directi
S
in
(
B
Only briefly visible after each sc
toggle.
In all flight screens a batte
consisting of 1 to 9 short bars,
corresponding to a battery voltage of
2.9 to 4.2V. Below 5 bars the ‘Lo
Bat’ symbol appears, this
c
30mi
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