I'd agree that the pneumatic variometry on the Air Glide S is not markedly better than the other offerings, this is well trodden technology. To get any advantage you need to learn to use the inertial variometry and the instantaneous wind. And I say "learn to use" because it is a new skill requiring conscious effort. Wavelets, convergence lines, and transient winds for glides can be identified from the display itself, thermal cores really require using iGlide to see the plot. The inertial variometer requires a lot of study to make use of. I think many pilots do not put this work into it, so any other variometer is as good. I have both the Air Glide and a CN variometer in the panel, for normal stuff the CN is as good - but it misses out entirely on the dynamics of wind, and in a rough or irregular thermal the usable core is better identified by iGlide and the Air.
On Monday, May 3, 2021 at 4:26:10 AM UTC-7, Matthew Scutter wrote:
On Monday, May 3, 2021 at 3:53:58 PM UTC+10, krasw wrote:
On Sunday, 2 May 2021 at 08:58:35 UTC+3, Matthew Scutter wrote:
You need to get a used Air GlideS someday.
Actually I flew about 1000 hours with one and found it no better than my CAI302 or even my Winter.... I did not take it across to my new panel. Yes, I read the installation manual, adjusted all the calibrations, I even tried a remote install on the CG above the spars, far from any metal or electric fields, yes I read the myriad of unofficial PDF alternative operating instructions. Glad to hear it worked for you though.