Triadis VEGA Manual

triadis engineering GmbH – Eichholzstrasse 7 – Postfach – CH-3254 Messen
Phone: [phone] – Fax: [phone] – Internet: www.triadis.ch – E-Mail: [email protected]
Document name: VEGA-P-EN
Document version: 1.11
Release date: 25/08/2008
Pilot’s Manual

Notes
i Vega Pilot’s Manual •VEGA-P-EN

Notes
Vega Pilot’s Manual •VEGA-P-EN ii

General Information
Document identification / revision status
This manual applies to the following Vega part numbers:
•P/N T253-000-XXX (Vega)
•P/N T253-100-XXX (Vega EC)
triadis engineering GmbH reserves the right to update this manual as product enhancements are
made throughout the life of this product.
Actual version: Vega Pilot’s Manual •VEGA-P-EN, Version 1.11
Version history
Revision Date Status Author Changes, comments
0.1 22/09/2005 draft J.Wharington Initial Draft
1.0 28/03/2005 released J.Wharington First final release
1.01 11/04/2006 released J.Wharington Minor edits
1.1 15/01/2008 released D.Wettstein Layout rework, german translation
1.11 25/08/2008 released S.Gisiger Minor edits
Safety notices
The Vega documentation is an essential component of the equipment and should carefully be
stored with the aircraft log book.
•The pilot is ultimately responsible for all flight decisions and for operating the aircraft safely
at all times.
•This equipment does not remove the need to maintain an effective lookout.
•Continue to observe the airspace and do not rely on Vega (or FLARM) to announce all
objects in the airspace!
•If possible, Vega is to be installed as ‘portable equipment’ with an autonomous power supply.
•Read the FLARM operating instructions carefully — in particular the Section ‘Restrictions
on operation’ below. Vega is unable to report on objects that are not detected by FLARM.
•Improper installation or misuse of Vega may result in degraded performance of Vega or to
equipment to which it is connected.
•The safety notices must be observed, in particular attention must be given to |notes and
kwarnings.
iii Vega Pilot’s Manual •VEGA-P-EN

Legal notices
•This manual, the instrument software and firmware, and user interface design are Copy-
right 2006-2007 by triadis engineering GmbH .
•Any decompiling, disassembly, reverse engineering, or modification of the instrument or
firmware are strictly prohibited without specific written permission from triadis engineering
GmbH .
•Specifications may change without notice. Updates to this document will be available at
http://www.triadis.ch
•triadis engineering GmbH will not be liable for errors/omissions in this document.
•The owner and/or the business performing the installation is responsible for ensuring that
the Vega installation conforms to the requirements of the aircraft type and the installation is
done professionally in accordance with the Vega Installation Manual.
Restrictions on operation
•Vega may not be operated in aircraft that are registered or insured in the USA or Canada,
or by pilots of the USA and Canada. Likewise businesses are forbidden to operate Vega,
if persons on-board the aircraft reside in the USA or Canada or are citizens of the USA or
Canada. Likewise businesses are forbidden to operate Vega, if the takeoff location, place of
destination lies in the USA or Canada, or if the flight over-flies the USA or Canada.
•Vega is not yet certified by FOCA for permanent installation in power planes, helicopters
and touring motor gliders. The installation instructions in this document refer to FOCA re-
quirements. Vega may not be installed in aircraft that are already equipped with an acoustic
reporting/warning system.
•Altair is not certified for use as a replacement for certified primary flight instruments.
•Vega does not have a JTSO or FAA-TSO airworthiness certification for equipment and the
permission granted by the FOCA authority described above applies only to aircraft regis-
tered in Switzerland.
•Install Vega where possible, isolated from the radio transceiver, since at present it is ap-
proved for use only with a portable radio transceiver system.
Trademarks
Trademarks referred to in this document are the property of their respective holders.
Vega Pilot’s Manual •VEGA-P-EN iv

CONTENTS
Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Design philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Pilot familiarisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 System description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.4 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 Air data system 5
2.1 Air data sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Data link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 EFIS Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.1 XCSoar integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.2 Instrument outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.3 Instrument inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3.4 External switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.4 Logger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.4.1 Using the SD-Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.4.2 SD-Card requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4.3 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Audio and speech system 9
3.1 Audio variometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2 Audio during thermal encounter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.3 Speech messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3.1 Classes of message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3.2 Message acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.3.3 Message repeat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.4 Audio mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.5 Crosstalk reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.6 Audio fail-safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4 Traffic and obstruction messages 15
4.1 FLARM messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.2 FLARM alarm levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.3 Message classes of FLARM events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.4 FLARM filtering modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.5 Filtering in circling and cruise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5 Airframe and advisory messages 18
5.1 Landing gear, flap and airbrake warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.2 Stall monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.3 Speed warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.4 System and health advisories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6 Instrument panel interface 21
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CONTENTS
6.1 Panel lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.2 Volume knobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.2.1 Message volume knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.2.2 Audio vario volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.3 Toggle switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.3.1 User mode switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.3.2 Speed command switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.3.3 MacCready adjustment switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.4 Acknowledge key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.4.1 Alert mode selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.4.2 Mode five timeout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.5 Repeat key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
7 Operation 24
7.1 Prior to start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.2 Audio system start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.2.1 Message volume check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.2.2 Variometer volume check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
7.2.3 Radio volume setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
7.2.4 GPS and FLARM connection check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
7.2.5 Fail-safe test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
7.2.6 Airframe switch test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.3 Pre-flight setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.4 EFIS data link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
7.5 Export the IGC logs from the FLARM Flight Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
8 Support 28
8.1 Firmware updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
8.2 Error reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
8.3 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
8.4 Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
A Feature summary 32
B Technical specifications 35
C Generated speech 38
D Limited Warranty 39
Vega Pilot’s Manual •VEGA-P-EN vi

1 INTRODUCTION
1 Introduction
Vega is a precision air data sensor and audio processing system designed for use in gliders as an
integrated soaring instrument and aid to situational awareness. Vega is small, easy to use, with a
simple user interface and can be built into small instrument panels.
The air data sensor features a high fidelity total energy variometer, airspeed indicator, altimeter,
stall monitor and meteorological sensors.
The audio processing system generates audio variometer tones and speech messages over a
loudspeaker or headset. These messages provide notification of nearby aircraft determined by the
FLARM collision awareness system, as well as many other alerts and warnings.
Vega integrates with FLARM to receive GPS data and aircraft obstruction data. The object data
announced by FLARM are converted to acoustic caution or warning messages. These messages
contain data pertaining to the threat level, direction, height, type of aircraft and distance to the
object. For obstructions, the messages contain the type of threat and distance.
Multiple objects with different hazard potentials are announced. FLARM announces a maximum of
fifteen objects in the current version of the FLARM firmware (3.00). The speech system announces
the most important four objects (user-configurable).
The instrument can interface to an external glide computer such as a Portable Digital Assistant
(PDA) or panel-mounted Electronic Flight Instrumentation System (EFIS). The term EFIS will be
used in this document to refer to both EFIS systems and PDAs.
The FLARM device and EFIS are not included with the base Vega retail package and must be
purchased separately. However, the instrument will operate without these systems, albeit with
reduced functionality.
A detailed description of the features can be found in Appendix A. Technical specifications are
listed in Appendix B.
1.1 Design philosophy
Vega is intended to assist the pilot fly the glider efficiently and safely. The design employs state of
the art technology, with an interface that is simple to use. The on-board audio processing system
generates high quality sound with mixing and priority based muting in order to improve clarity.
Emphasis has been placed on sound and speech cues in order to discourage pilots from staring
into the cockpit, which is well known to be dangerous. Options are available for connecting Vega
to external vario displays.
The air data sensor can interact with an external EFIS glide computer. The open source software
XCSoar has been adapted by the developers to fully integrate with Vega. XCSoar follows a design
philosophy to reduce cockpit workload and minimise the need for pilot interaction. Since its data
format is documented and available to the public, other glide computer software may be adapted
to use Vega.
In many gliding accidents, pilot overload is known to be a contributing factor. Cross-country flying,
competitions, busy airspace and flying in unfamiliar terrain can all cause a high pilot workload for
long durations. A design goal of Vega is to help relieve this situation by giving advisory messages
and alarms when the aircraft is not being flown safely or efficiently.
The instrument comprises digital solid-state sensors and uses high speed digital microcontrollers
for all processing, delivering excellent fidelity, long-term stability, increased resistance to interfer-
1 Vega Pilot’s Manual •VEGA-P-EN

1 INTRODUCTION
ence, and low drain on the aircraft’s power supply. The instrument requires no parts protruding from
the aircraft other than an optional total energy probe of Braunschweig/Irving type or equivalent.
The air data sensor is highly customisable so the pilot can get the very best performance by tuning
calibration factors; and the audio system is also highly customisable so the pilot can set up the
system to produce the most natural and informative speech and tones.
1.2 Pilot familiarisation
For safety reasons, please take the time to study this manual before using the instrument in flight.
Be aware of how the instrument is configured in the particular aircraft, and what external devices
are connected, as these affect which functions of Vega are available. A blank page at the end of
this document is provided for owners to record notes on their individual installation.
For initial familiarisation, it is recommended that pilots set up the instrument on a desk connected
to a 12V battery (protected with a 2.5A fuse).
It is recommended that pilots intending to use an EFIS system (such as Vega) undergo professional
or informal training prior to flight.
1.3 System description
The major subsystems of Vega are listed below:
•Pressure sensors Used for determining the airspeed, altitude, rate of climb,
variometer, and stall monitor.
•Accelerometer Used for detecting circling and dolphin flight, and for
variometer compensation.
•Digital filters Used to process all sensor measurements and to perform
filtering to reduce the impact of gusts and other
measurement errors on computed values.
•Air data computer Used to calculate the aircraft dynamic state and to detect
certain unsafe flying conditions.
•Audio mixer Used to interleave audio from various input sources (radio
transceiver, tone generator, synthetic speech, auxiliary
audio) to minimise cross-talk and allow the use of all audio
sources over a single speaker/headset.
•Tone generator This generates variometer audio, speed command audio and
other tones used to give the pilot feedback on the aircraft
dynamics and air mass movement.
•Speech generator Warning, caution and informational messages are generated
as speech.
•Panel controls The front face of the instrument contains two volume knobs
for message volume and variometer volume. Switches and
LED indicators are used for the user interface.
The following switches, devices and systems can be connected to Vega:
•Temperature/humidity sensor Used to measure atmospheric conditions relevant to soaring
flight. Optional
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1 INTRODUCTION
•Audio inputs/outputs Various audio sources may be used for input to the mixer,
outputs can drive a headset and speaker. There are two
channels of external audio input available (speaker and
phono). Optional and recommended.
•Airframe switches Switches mounted on the aircraft control mechanism and
instrument panel or stick grip are used by the air data
computer to determine the aircraft state and for general user
input. Optional.
•Aircraft radio The aircraft radio can be connected to Vega so that
generated speech messages and other generated tones can
be mixed for maximum legibility. Optional and recommended.
•EFIS The EFIS system is used as an external glide computer,
configuration, and as a display of the air data
instrumentation. Vega is designed specifically to integrate
with triadis engineering GmbH ’s Vega EFIS system and this
provides the greatest functionality and easiest installation.
Optional and recommended.
•FLARM The FLARM device provides collision awareness
functionality, whereby speech warning and situational
awareness messages are generated. It also serves as a
GPS receiver for pass-through to the EFIS. Optional and
recommended.
•GPS If a FLARM device is not installed, a serial GPS device may
be connected for pass-through to the EFIS. Optional.
•Needle gauge An external digital (LCD) or analog needle gauge may be
connected to display variometer and or speed command
information. Optional.
•OneWire peripherals The Dallas Semiconductor/Maxim OneWire bus can be used
to connect additional peripheral devices. These may include
user interface devices, sensors or other instruments and
switches. Optional.
•SD card Configurations and firmware updates can be performed via
an SD card. Flights can be recorded in the IGC format on
the SD card, however Vega is not an IGC approved logger.
A systems view of the Vega is shown in the following figure. It shows the major logical subsystems
inside the instrument and the interfaces to external systems in the glider.
3 Vega Pilot’s Manual •VEGA-P-EN