Butterfly vario side-by-side with ClearNav vario

Watching the Butterfly vario video, it sure looks nice and smooth, with lots of information - then it occurred to me that this is a potential downside that the pilot will have to guard against - "clock watching" while thermalling, trying to make sense of all the changing data, and perhaps relying on Flarm to stay safe!

It's bad enough with all the data available on our glide computers and PNA displays, but that data is usually checked during cruise, and is more static in nature; while thermalling we try to rely on the audio vario and occasionally check inside for the average. Will conventional audio be sufficient to convey the data that the Butterfly (and by extension, CNv and other future varios) will be generating?

Perhaps more synthetic voice data to give trend info would allow the pilot to keep his eyes out of the cockpit and still make use of all the new data. "Gust", "Roll out - Turn in" (for thermal centering), "two six, two six" for the average, etc.

Or a head mounted display - JHMCS anyone? That would need a big battery!

It would be a shame to equip the fleet with Flarm just so we can thermal on instruments!

Kirk

On Saturday, May 18, 2013 5:14:58 AM UTC-4, kirk.stant wrote:

Perhaps more synthetic voice data to give trend info would allow the pilot to keep his eyes out of the cockpit and still make use of all the new data. "Gust", "Roll out - Turn in" (for thermal centering), "two six, two six" for the average, etc.

Maybe Themi got it right, ten years ago. Two LEDs in peripheral vision.

On Saturday, May 18, 2013 2:08:58 PM UTC+2, son_of_flubber wrote:

Maybe Themi got it right, ten years ago. Two LEDs in peripheral vision.

I think so, which is why I still have mine installed.

I like the combination of SN10 audio, Themi lights, and Oudie (with SN10 vario data) trail with vario dots for building a picture of the thermal with minimum time inside the cockpit.

Kirk
66

Hey Eric, I recently acquired butterfly varios for my ASH25. I immediately liked it better than my SN10's vario, and having flown the 302 a bunch in a Duo Discus I would put Cambridge in third place. I can't comment on the ClearNav . The audio is the most pleasant i've heard and the display is bright and delightful to view. I think it is equal to, if not better, than the high end Sage, and much more visible. I am still trouble shooting the more sophisticated features of the instrument. The artificial horizon is cool even if never used, and it doubles as a nice navigation, and final glide device. As far as the cruise control feature, at this point it seems like too much information to me. I just fly fast if the next thermal looks good, and slow if there might be trouble ahead, making some modest changes to accommodate en route sustained lift or sink. That horizontal gust thing might actually work, as it seems easier to center thermals with the Butterfly, although I might be inclined to say that about any variometer that cost as much as my first glider. As of now I think it might be a better mousetrap, and if you are interested come down and fly with me and check it out.

Dale

Maybe there's a good use for Google Glass here. Much easier than a HUD.

Chris

On Sat, 18 May 2013 09:08:27 -0700, rudy.letov wrote:

Maybe there's a good use for Google Glass here. Much easier than a HUD.

..... until Google decide its time for an ad break.

It seems that *will* be location-related ads shown ("Coffee time!" as you
pass Starbucks): this is one of the reasons why various states are
talking about banning their use while driving.


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martin@ | Martin Gregorie
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