[LASS Soaring] "Tiny Airspeed Recorders From Winged Shadow"

[Ryan Woebkenberg]

A handheld GPS in a sailplane could do some of this too.  Most units can be set to record position over time (this also would give altitude) and graphing software can be used to compute groundspeed at a given time.  Groundspeed over a F3B type speed run (since it goes both ways) can give you airspeed.  And in a dive, unless you are diving into a big old thermal position based speed gives you an accurate indication of actual speed.  I have an older handheld GPS that is a bit big to put in a sailplane (but I have been thinking of strapping it to the top of a plane's wings for some time now).  Newer units can be quite a bit smaller although of course a bit more expensive than the how fast.  
 
Honestly, for several years now I have been surprised more soaring guys don't have handheld GPS units.  But not for the above reason.
 
Ryan


From: GordySoar at aol.comDate: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:22:18 -0400To: Soaring at airage.comCC: soaring at louisvillesoaring.orgSubject: [LASS Soaring] "Tiny Airspeed Recorders From Winged Shadow"

http://www.wingedshadow.com/products.html
 
Take a look could be fun tool.
 
Does not read to the ground in real time, you have to land and take a 'look' at the recorded speeds (up to 6 speed checks available I think).
Gordy
 
I'm figuring could be an excellent launch set up tool, and of course speed run set up tool...and then there's that speed dive we are always guessing about...and of course X country runs....


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