Actually Jason, the system we use was built specifically to replicate the paper log system, and to enable use at the launch site if required. There would be no problem with using it at the launch site other than the ones we decided were overwhelming, such as security & the lack of power. In addition, it does have the facility to produce reports such as Tug usage Instructors hours Accounts for members The fact that we choose not to avail ourselves of these facilities is another issue. If we had 'office people' I daresay we would also have someone to enter the logsheets at the end of each day: are you offering to volunteer? 8) >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 20/04/01 0:15:19 >>> Hi all Does anyone have any good ideas about any computerised club flight log systems that would be suitable for pie-cart operations ? The basic criteria would have to be: A. Easy to use (especially in a large club where anyone could be called on to "run the log") B. Low cost - obviously a $5000 notebook PC + $1000 of software loaded is hardly an ideal solution C. Reliable - able to take some bouncing around from end-changes, long battery life, line-by-line printout of transactions in case of system failure (so that no data is lost) D. Maintainable - easy for the Club to change the membership list, a/c hire rates, tug rates, etc. E. Portable - able to operate off solar charged 12VDC system or re-chargeable battery that can be charged overnight using the mains in the clubhouse My initial thoughts would be that (a) custom hardware is OUT (b) a PC of no more than 286 performance should be able to do the job (a PC/104 style PC might be OK) (c) a laptop / notebook with LCD screen (even B/W) should be ample (d) laptop batteries generally last much less than an 8-10 hour flying day, so connection to a solar charged pie cart 12V car/truck battery *might* get by depending on the charge rate and current drawn by the PC (e) Windows is a CPU power hog and contains lots of features that are "surplus to requirements", but it is widely available and easy to program - a DOS-based system should suffice. (f) hard disks are a liability and flash ROM disks would be better (use a daily 3.5 inch floppy drive or serial port for data xfer) (g) a simple dot matrix printer is sufficient for printing the journal of the day's flying Our Club currently has an off-line flight log program written in MS-Access which is used for entering data in after the flying day is over (and often with several weeks lag behind the actual Club flying). Something simpler is needed for on-field "live" logging and accounting. I know that GCV Benalla used to get their office people to enter tug and glider log sheets in at the end of the day and produce lovely printouts of your flying account, but I've not seen any other club with such a facility. Any ideas ? Do any clubs in Australia actually do on-field computerised flight logging / accounting ? Regards Jason Armistead Club Membership Secretary & Webmaster Southern Cross Gliding Club Camden, NSW, Australia http://www.ozemail.com.au/~gliding/ -- * You are subscribed to the aus-soaring mailing list. * To Unsubscribe: send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] * with "unsubscribe aus-soaring" in the body of the message * or with "help" in the body of the message for more information.
