Introducing the personal flight data logger.

It is:

• A GPS recorder/logger that records your height and position every second
• A triple axis accelerometer and dual axis gyro recorder that records every 20th of a second
• A software system that runs on your PC or on a web server that interacts with Google Earth or FlightGear simulator that shows
  • your track
  • your aircraft attitude, yaw and roll
  • areas that need improvement in your flight such as
    • tight turns close to the ground
    • pitch up too early on take off
    • over and under correction
    • slip turn indication
  • Review details of your training flight. Go over elements with your instructor with Google Earth or FlightGear

An example of a simple GPS track for Google Earth can be seen
via the article at http://srfc.org.au/web/content/view/48/61/
Go to the end of the article and click on the link for the
kml file.

Or download directly, save and then open in Google Earth.
http://srfc.org.au/kml/flight20071020-h.kml

Advantages of the system.

Not necessarily attached to aircraft, a personal device that is
battery powered.

Data is provided as a file over a USB connection.

No approval necessary as the device is not used for any essential
purpose during the flight.

Very adaptable system. Contains reasonable processor and memory.
Can be programmed to suit requirements.

Very inexpensive. Predicted cost $250. (Accelerometers and gyros
$56 US. Processor board $30 US. LCD $20. USB GPS $50 US. These are
retail prices for the prototype)

Who will need one?

Every flight school will want to have one. It will be akin to having
your photo taken after your first TIF.

The device will be useful for monitoring students going solo.

Because the software is adaptable, it can become the basis of a family
of more featured devices.

It is quite conceivable that such a device could become as mandatory as a log
book. It is objective evidence that a student has reached a certain level of
competence.

What stage is the prototype at?

The GPS, accelerometer and gyro recorder is working. Turning GPS data
into Google Earth tracks is done. The bulk of the embedded software
is done. The ability to act as a USB host and USB device is done. The
DOS/FAT filesystem is done.

The web server and PC software has been started to produce more detailed
tracks and error reports. The design will work.

Because of bias and ADC errors in the accelerometers and gyros, some of the
technical details there are yet to be proven. It may require some more fine
tuning (Kalman filters).

A printed circuit layout has to be produced, and then the really hard
bit has to be done - money for a production run, sales and marketing.

Picture of the prototype

Move your mouse over the picture to highlight elements