I suppose bar coding is out of the question?
(What AM I thinking of... think of the size of the
laser scanner!)
JM
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Codling <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2001 7:31 PM
Subject: Re: [aus-soaring] Computerised club flight log system suitable for
pie-cart operations ?
> OK, so here I go.
>
> I've actually put a lot of thought into something just like this, you can
> get coded "electronic keys" quite cheaply.
> you don't need a gps but an airswitch and timing mechanism with small
radio
> transmitter ( + one in the tug). Costs can be kept to about those below.
> BUT
> there are 2 problems (no 3) to the system.
>
> 1. No matter how you look at it, you require someone with some level of
> computer skills every flying day to operate the system. A lot of TT hats
> don't have computer operators under them.
> 2. You have to convince all the private guys to buy a box and key and
> install it in their glider. If not, you still have to resort to the paper
> method. 2 systems then become more cumbersome than having just one.
> 3. You need lots of time and some $ to develop it.
>
> Anyway, it's all on paper and the principle works, also there's a
reasonable
> development curve that would allow progressive steps to the "all digital"
,
> paperless operation.
>
> and so the moral, - for every wierd idea, there's someone even wierder who
> will take it seriously!
> c'ya'all,
> Mike Codling
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Armistead, Allan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Friday, April 20, 2001 11:19 AM
> Subject: RE: [aus-soaring] Computerised club flight log system suitable
for
> pie-cart operations ?
>
>
> > Ah, come on Jason, why go halfway with this? Let's get rid of ALL the
> paper.
> >
> > What you really need is each club member to have a magnetically coded
> photo
> > ID card, a reader in each aircraft, an airswitch, GPS and a transponder
> > fitted. Then you can jump in the glider (or tug), wave your ID past the
> > reader, and at the end of the flight the glider/tug will transmit all
the
> > details - time, launch height, duration and pilot - back to the Club
> > computer, update the necessary logs for yourself and the glider, and
take
> > the cost of the flight from your bank account and credit it to the
Club's
> > account. Wave your card past the reader again at the end of the flight
and
> > it will update your flight currency and endorsement status.
> >
> > If you try and fly a glider you're not qualified on, or you're out of
> > currency, or you are due for a check then an alarm and flashing light
will
> > sound, and the tow hook will refuse to open and let you get a launch.
> >
> > If you are approaching the balance of your bank account, a buzzer gives
> you
> > 15 minutes warning and then the brakes deploy.
> >
> > This system would also solve the Secretary's problem of collating annual
> > statistics for GFA - all automatically sorted and electronically
> > transmitted.
> >
> > Gotta think outside the square...
> >
> > Allan Armistead
> > Roads, Land Transport
> > (02) 6274 7315
> >
> > "When once you have tasted flight, you will always walk with your eyes
> > turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always be."
> > Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Dave Boulter [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> > Sent: Friday, 20 April 2001 10:03
> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Subject: Re: [aus-soaring] Computerised club flight log system
> > suitablefor pie-cart operations ?
> >
> >
> > The one I wrote for Camps is good for on the field. But it is not the
app
> it
> > is the laptop,trg of users etc is the problem. Good old paper is as good
> as
> > anything sometimes.
> >
> > /daveb
> >
> > Derek Ruddock wrote:
> >
> > > 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/
> > >
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