---- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2001 12:15
AM
Subject: [aus-soaring] Computerised club
flight log system suitable for pie-cart operations ?
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
