A new product, worldwide!
Fly safely!
Fly with the measuring- and safety system!
Fly with SKYPANEL!
A box with built-in features:
A hub for data, which stand for safety and improved flight performance
click here to read the manual and adjustments:
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Skymelody-vario and Skypanel together will enhance your flight
experience
Would you like a speed compensated variometer and altitude information?
Then you should know the following:
A precise altitude measurement with only one air pressure sensor is not possible when it is connected to a TEK-nozzle at the same
time, as the nozzle is generating a pressure difference related to airspeed.
Thus, the measurement of the altitude related barometeric pressure is impossible.
If it is asssumed that measuring the height differential will compensate for such measurement errors, then this is only valid under
constant speed conditions. Yet we know that this is a very theoretical approach as airspeed will change continously around avalue set
by the elevator trim. This holds true for a straight flight path and for thermaling.
This leads to the requirement to use two air pressure sensors, one each for vario and altitude.
These are the criteria for a well functioning TEK-system
1) A well engineered TEK-sensor
The TEK-nozzle has been tested in a wind tunnel and has proven its performance for over three years.
2) Correct installation
The installation is supported by clear instructions.
3) Leakage-free system
It is paramount that pressure changes are only detected via the miniscule opening in the nozzle. Any leakage will interfere with the
correct functioning of the system.
In order to secure this feature, a sensor has been selected with a built-in port for a small tubings. Further, high quality tubings are
being furnished together with nozzle and nozzle fittings.
4) Sensitive and comprehensive vario acoustics, which make the faintest pressure changes audible as they are induced by small airspeed changes
How to check the installation?
On the vario module adjust the highest sensitivity and the shortest delay time.
Blow a slight air stream with your mouth onto the installed TEK-nozzle from forward and on the level of the rearward nozzle opening.
If everything is correct, then the continous „zero sink tone“ will change into „lift beep“ – provided that there are no other disturbing air movements around.
Skypanel
Skymelody, the first TEK-variometer with speedkompensation that has 3 years experience now.
It is known as the variometer with the best varioacustics.
Soon you can upgrade!
With speech output for:
Altitude, Integrated vario, Voltage, Time and temperature.
It can be used as datalogger and flightbook.
With PC-interface for programming and visualising data.
With prepared connections for several sensors like speed, revolutions amperes etc.
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The new module can be used with all Skymelody variometers, with and without TEK
A Very Special Flight Sensation
SKYPANEL is featuring the following functions:
Noise- and Range-Check for PPM-RC-Systems
The well known control surface jitter is being analysed with respect to its presence and magnitude. Jitter sources range from temporary “misalignment” of transmitter and receiver antennae to the complete failure of the transmitter. Other reasons include long and badly placed servo cables acting as an antenna, radio wave reflections, disturbing transmitters a.s.o. as well as inherent RC transmitter and receiver performance deficiencies.
3 modes can be chosen from:
- 1. Feature switched off
- 2. Sensitivity level 1: Low sensitivity with disturbances indicated by two rings (“ding-ding”) and the anouncement “Reichweite”
- 3. Sensitivity level 2: In this mode the number of disturbed signals per second is counted and signaled as follows: If there are 10 servo pulses/second which are mutilated by more than 20 %, then there are two rings and the word “Reichweite”, as above. 20 mutilated pulses/second would yield three rings etc. The number of rings is thus an indication of noise magnitude.
Sensitivity level 2 is recommendend.
Noise- and Range-Check for PCM-RC-Systems
The above mode can be used for PCM-systems by programming the RX output to “+100%” pulse length. In case of disturbance there is an unwarranted anouncement of “height, integrated vario,…” values (see below).
Supply Voltage Check
The voltage is anounced automatically as soon as a voltage drop of 100 mV is occuring. Only drops are being signaled in order to avoid unwarranted anouncements, for instance when double battery installations are being used.
Immediate voltage readings are possible via a defined switch- or slider position at the transmitter.
As an additional option, a “critical voltage“ level can be defined between 4,3 and 8 Volts, either by the programming button or via the PC. When this voltage is being reached during operation, SKYPANEL will signal this status in (selectable) time intervalls independent of transmitter switch- or slider position, further refered to as “transmitter settings”. Please note that this measurement is being taken at the RX-terminals. Long wirings may cause voltage drops above 100 mV.
Temperature Check
The temperature measurement is being taken within the SKYPANEL case and can be read via a defined transmitter switch- or slider position. In addition, a “critical temperature” can be defined between 0 °C and 60 °C, the overrun of which is being signaled independently from transmitter settings.
Flight Time Recording
Flight time measurement starts automatically after lift-off /launch at +/- 3 m and can be read immediately by the transmitter setting. Further, a time interval for automatic reading repetition can be programmed by push button or PC. Programming is either “off”, in steps of 10 seconds upwards or such that anouncements only occur together with voltage readings.
Altimeter Recording
Altitude readings can adjusted in three modes by transmitter setting:
1. Immediate reading
- 2. When climbing/sinking throug 50 m-levels, i.e. 50 m, 100 m, 150 m,…
- 3. In programmable regular time intervals
The feature can be programmed “off”.
Integral Vario Feature
By definition, the “integral vario” is monitoring the vertical speed over a specified time interval. In the SKYPANEL, a somewhat simplified version has been implemented by continuously subtracting the altitude value of the beginning of a time interval from the altitude value at the end of this interval. This value is anounced according to the transmitter setting either on direct request or in programmable intervals. At the same time, these intervals serve as measurement time base. Anouncement is for example: “Steigen 4 Meter ( climbing four meters)” or “Sinken ein Meter (sinking one meter)”. This can be helpful when optimizing thermaling.
External Push Button
It allows the very convenient on-site programming of the SKYPANEL without interfacing with a PC and it offers the reading of flight time and maximum altitude after landing.
Data Logger
This particular feature offers information about all featured functions including optional switch positions, for post flight analysis. It acts as a “black box” and is connected to a PC via a built-in RS-232 interface. After data transfer all featured values are diplayed graphically and in colour as functions over flight time. The sample rate (time between two full data sets) can be programmed in steps of 1 second. Memory size allows 2.2 hours storage at the maximum sample rate of 1set/second, and for instance, 33.3 hours at 1set/15 seconds. The PC-software “Flight Book” is giving further details. Recording starts at an altitude difference of +/- 3 meters after take-off/launch. If the maximum recording time is overrun, recording will continue yet the “oldest” data sets will be lost (revolving memory).
Flight Log
The flight log is part of the data logger feature and offers acoustic reading of flight time and maximum altitude upon push button operation on-site or by graphic presentation on the PC. The most recent flight is numerated “no. 10”, the previous flight is “no. 9”, a.s.o.
Switches S1 to S4
This feature is quite particular and offers the opportunity to check certain (mechanical) functions like closed or open retract doors and gears and retractible propulsion systems. Small micro switches are connected to SKYPANEL and the switch position can either be read through transmitter setting or on PC.
Bus Interface
SKYPANEL operates on a built-in bus system and offers thus a wide range of future options. Additional sensor systems presently under development may be added on a “plug-and-play”-basis. Sensors for electrical propulsion voltage and current, battery temperature, rpm and others are considered.
PC Software
The PC software “Flight Book” is a class of its own and has been designed specifically for SKYPANEL. Flight data can be transferred and presented in 2D or 3D format. As well a zooming feature allows the detailed analysis of interesting periods during the flight and the data can be put in archive storage, printed, prepared for e-mail transfer or changed into EXEL-format for further anaysis. Further, all programming steps can be performed.
The software is fully self-explaining, yet one remark is to be made: The flight numbers of the “Flight Log” and the PC presentation of the “Data Logger” are not necessarily the same. If required, please refer to the maximum altitude reading for comparison.
Conclusion
Even though SKYPANEL offers a great number of features it is easily operated.
Without triggering by a transmitter signal it operates solely in its data logger and flight log mode. But in a full system operation together with the LPD voice receiver and the variability of different transmitter settings, it offers a multitude of information for improved flight performance and safety.
SKYPANEL can be operated with SKYMELODY varios of all generations!
Please note that during acoustic readings, the vario signal is attenuated into the background
for better voice apprehension.
TEK users may note that the full system implements two separate pressure sensors dedicated to their functions. Thus altitude measurements will not be interfered by pressure changes at the TEK nozzle. This layout follows the equipment scheme in full size aircraft.
Technical Data
Altimeter range: Approx. – 500 m to + 9000 m
Resolution: 1 m
Current consumption (SKYPANEL only): approx. 13 mA
Operating voltage: 4 – 5 cell normally, up to 10 V max.
Weight: approx. 24 gr
Size: 50x30x15 mm
Features: Noise-/range check for PPM (and PCM) RC-systems
Supply voltage check including alarm setting
Temperature check including alarm setting
Continuous measurement of: Flight time
Altitude
Integral vario
Programmable via external push button or via PC software
4 optional switched inputs for aircraft status control
Flight log feature: storage of max. altitude and flight time for latest 10 flights
Data logger feature with variable recording time
Acoustic reading of all values in synthetic voice
Graphic display and analysis of all data via PC software “Flight Book”
Implemented bus system for further optional sensors (as are current, voltage, rpm,
External temperatures, velocity, etc.)
Interface to SKYMELODY vario
Ing. Büro - Uwe Schulz - Am Brammer 30 - D 29640 - Schneverdingen
Tel./Fax:+49(0)5193/52667-52669
Email: U.SCHUL@t-online.de