On Tuesday, October 21, 2014 12:59:31 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Tuesday, October 21, 2014 11:03:48 AM UTC-4, jfitch wrote:

On Monday, October 20, 2014 4:24:46 PM UTC-7, wrote:



On Friday, October 10, 2014 3:50:54 AM UTC+11, wrote:







Excellent questions and observations.















I am focused on the S80 and Butterfly primarily because they have an artificial horizon but also would like a unit that can filter out horizontal gusts that cause me/us to think we have entered a strong thermal. It also would seem that the instantaneous wind readings would be very helpful when flying convergence lines.















You have a built in filter that can eliminate false readings due to gusts. It's called your backside. If you can't feel the acceleration, it's not there.







Acceleration due to a a vertical or horizontal gust are not discernible by the human backside. Both result in an increase in lift: the former due to an increase in the angle of attack and the latter due to an increase in air speed. Both can be used to gain energy, but you will find circling in the latter a pointless exercise. Which is why every variometer manufacturer is trying to differentiate them.



I do not agree. The scream on the vario not associated with the seat feel "true" lift is obvious when you practice enough. All these instruments are trying to do is make the vario agree with what we should feel in the seat.

This could help the less experienced or less active pilot but likely will have little benefit to the pilot that flies a lot.

UH

Do not agree with what?

The aerodynamics is accepted by pretty much everyone. The seat of the pants feel is simply vertical acceleration (and sometimes a little lateral mixed in). This could be displayed on a very inexpensive accelerometer. If what you say is true, then you don't need a variometer at all. I hope the vario manufacturers are trying to do more (and they are). Specifically, concisely present information allowing maximum extraction of energy from the surrounding air. There are many reasons why a barometric variometer does not (and cannot) duplicate the accelerations you feel.