Vario benefits are numerous. The primary function of a vario i.e. the indication of sink or climb, enhances precision thermal flying and helps the model pilot maximize flight time. It helps to find even weak thermals and to use them to find the optimal flight pattern. This applies particularly when flying at high altitudes and in flat country where it is difficult to evaluate thermals by sight only.
Further, the altimeter provides useful safety information including the continous checking of the onboard power supply. Bad surprises because of drained batteries should be a thing of the past.
Additional modules including the current sensor and GPS allow features like speed and glide ratio measurements and the optimization of electric power drives.
A vario puts a whole new dimension into R/C sailplane flying.
The CS DataVario is an acoustic vario with altimeter and voice output. A sensor interface allows the implementation of external sensors like a current sensor (for electric flight), a temperature sensor or a GPS sensor.
The CS DataVario contains an integrated data logger. All measurements (time, receiver voltage, altitude, motor current and -voltage, consumed drive battery capacity, speed, temperature, GPS longitude and latitude) are stored on a Micro-SD memory card. Thus the vario contains a "black box" which allows the storage of all flights of a flying season, i.e. 1,000 flights at 3 hours each, and their later evaluation. The evaluation can be done with the "LogView" software (www.logview.info). Additional software transforms the GPS data in CSV-format into a KML format so it can be used with Google Earth or into a GPX-format for Garmin, both of which allow a 3D presentation of individual flights. Thus, data export into many other evaluation software programs is possible.
The CS DataVario provides important information about the drive system to the electric flyer and allows component tuning and optimization. For this feature, the WSTECH interface or the UniLog Data Logger (SM-Modellbau www.sm-Modellbau.de) has to be connected to the vario.
A special electric flight mode offers another application which is the continous drive check in an electric model. It comprises the continous announcement of the consumed drive battery capacity and the minimum drive battery voltage.
The sensor interface from WSTECH allows the direct connection of the WSTECH GPS module, the current and temperature sensor, or the pitot tube speed sensor from SM-Modellbau without the UniLog.
The GPS module may also be directly connected to the vario (if other sensor modules are not used)
The GPS module allows the voice output of ground speed, glide ratio and position (perfect for airplane recovery).
The vario connects to the R/C receiver via a free channel output and receives its power supply from there. If there is no free output available, a Y-cable connection with another channel is possible, for instance with the aerotow hook servo.
The receiver pulse output allows the remote selection of different vario operation modes.
A setup routine can be initiated during the switch-on phase of the vario which allows the setup of the vario transmitter channel and different vario parameters and features in order to adapt the vario to your personal preferences. Yet this is not required in the beginning as the vario is delivered with a well proven default setting.
During the design phase, a high emphasis was put on simple operation and programming. A custom configuration may be setup with the R/C equipment or a servo tester. A personal computer is not required.
Special emphasis was put on the electronic design to insure that it's immune to high frequency interference. Appropriate design, layout and shielding measures provide this feature thoroughly.
For details please read CS DataVario manual.
