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News
News - Swift - Australian Sage Distributor
A recent visit to Williams Soaring and it's owner Rex Mayes , resulted in Swift Avionics becoming the Australian Sage agent.
These instruments are mechanically a piece of art. There are so few moving parts, it's amazing. This instrument devised in the 70's by gliding legend Will Scheumann, use a taut wire mechanism to suspend the vario 'needle'. Now, with audio included, all Sage lovers have had their prayers answered ! News - Flarm Firmware 4.07 available
Flarm have released firmware V4.07. V4.03 Flarms are still compatible with latest Flarms, but we have noticed that there are some changes with how your Flarm might operate on the ground. Static targets may NOT be visible when using V4.07 |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQLook for answers to commonly asked questions in the FAQ below
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| Flarm Type | $ | Display | $ | Features | Total |
| MiniOZ | 762.70 | FlarmNav | 572 | Flarm Visual and Audio alarms,Basic Nav, Wind estimation coming before April. USB Stick flightlog download from MiniOZ (not IGC), | $1334.20 |
| MiniOZ | 762.70 | TR-DVS | 560 | Triadis Voice Alarms for Flarm, Gear Warning, Airbrake lock warning, etc | $1322.70 |
| MiniOZ | 762.70 | Butterfly Zero | 404.08 | Low panel space requirement. Audible and Visual warnings. Can be mounted landscap or portrait | $1167.50 |
| MiniOZ | 762.70 | Butterfly (Round) | 599 | As above but with extra features and round 57mm hole installation | $1361.70 |
| MiniOZ | 762.70 | Altair | $3199 | A fantastic solution as XCSoar has a popup Flarm radar display when a threat arises, however, to get an audible alarm you need a Triadis Vega vario, a TR-DVS, or a FlarmNAV | Varies on Config. |
| MiniOZ | 762.70 | PDA | $- | As above- You need an Audio Alarm | Varies |
| Swiss Flarm (std) | 1229 | incoroprated | Basic Flarm Device with micro SD Card for flight log storage and device configuration | $1229 | |
| Swiss Flarm (IGC) | 1419 | incoroprated | Basic Flarm Device with micro SD Card for flight log storage and device configuration with IGC approval up to Diamond Flight | $1419 | |
| Swiss Flarm (IGC+ENL) | 1629 | incoroprated | Basic Flarm Device with micro SD Card for flight log storage and device configuration with IGC approval up to Diamond Flight and Engine noise detection | $1629 |
Q. Will Swift be seeking IGC approval for OZFlarm and MiniOZ?
A: We did have intention to seek GC approval for OZFlarm, but recent rumblings inidcate that GFA may accept some loggers for tasks up to a yet to be defind evel WITHOUT IGC approval. We will keep you posted if you join our newsletter, by rgeistering on our site/
MiniOZ Flarm Engine
Q: What is MiniOZ?
A: MiniOZ is the simplest Flarm Engine you can buy.
Q: Does MiniOZ have any display?
A: MiniOZ has no visual or audible display at all. It can be connected to a FlarmNAV or other third party Flarm
Displays, or even a PDA for Visual Flarm Alarms
Q: Will my MiniOZ work with Ediatec displays?
A: Ediatec displays require 3volts as a powersupply. Standard MiniOZ units only output 12V. If you require to
drive an Ediatec display please we can modify your miniOZ to do so.
FlarmNAV
Q: Why does my FlarmNav have two connectors on the back?
A: The FlarmNav passes data received from a Flarm (top connector) to the bottom connector, for data output
to a PDS, Altair or similar.
Q. Why is my FlarmNav Flarm radar display look "greyed out".
A. Your FlarmNav is not receiving Flarm data. Check your connections.
Altair
Q:The Altair looks too wide to fit in my panel..........what can I do?
A: There is a version of XCSoar that allows the Altair to run in portrait mode. Contact us for details.
Q: How much current does an Altair draw ?
A: The Altair draws between 300 and 500mA depending upon how bright you are running the display. We
recommend you make use of the "auto brightness" function in XCSoar to maximise battery life.
Q.What battery do you recommend?
A. A Normal 12V 7.ah battery will provide ample power for an Altair for most pilots, but please remeber you
are most likely using this same battery for radios, varios, tarnsponders, etc . We recommend you have
at least 2 x 12v 7.AH batteries with a suitable changeover switch. MAKE SURE SEPARATE FUSE circuits
are employed when using two batteries.
Q. Can I have buttons on top of the control stick to operate the Altair.
A. We are working on a prototype to effect the above. We can also purchase a complete accessory form
Altair albiet a little expensive. But.....for those who want the best....give us a call.
Vega
Q: The Vega vario is as expensive as the Altair glide computer.....why?
A: Because it the best! Consider this. The Vega is more than a vario. It is the Ultimate vario.
- A complete Vario/glide computer engine
- Full voice prompting, warnings and alarms
- Monitors airbrakes,
- Monitors Landing gear,state.
- Battery voltages
- Stall warning port
- Flarm input
- Highly configurable Audio
- ....and much more. Read more detail here
Tasman
Q: Can my Tasman V1000 output data to a PDA
A: You need a Tasman FP10 vario engine if you want to send airdata to a PDA glide computer .
EW Microrecorder
Q: Is the EW Microrecorder wired the same as other Flarm / Logger products?
A: WARNING. There is some confusion in the IGC. They have defined a specification for IGC compatible
loggers using RJ45 style connectors. Unfortunately, they physically numbered the pins in reverse to
the international numbering standard for 8 conductor RJ45 sockets. From our experience it seems as
though EW is the only manufacturuer who followed the International standard and as such, they have
power and ground on opposite ends of the plug to most other Flarm and logger devices.
If you do not use a special cable, and connect to a device that supplies power, like an Altair, you will
damage one or both devices. Ask me how I know !!
Batteries and Chargers
Q.How is the Battery Fighter® battery charger different from a trickle charger?
A.The Battery Fighter® battery charger delivers constant 1.25 Amp charging current to
raise battery terminal voltage to approximately 80% recharged during bulk charge mode,
charging current will then drop gradually.
The battery charge voltage is held constantly at 14.4 VDC during absorption charge
mode until the current drops to 0.1 Amp or until 6 to 8 hours have elapsed.
It then automatically switches to a float charge mode. During float charge mode, the
output voltage of the Battery Fighter® battery charger is 13.2 VDC, which is well below
the gassing voltage of a lead acid battery. This keeps the battery topped off,
while minimizing any detrimental effects to do with gassing. The Battery Fighter®
battery charger is able to perform these complex switching functions because its
electronic circuitry is controlled by an on board microprocessor.
Although they often appear to be a better economic choice for the typical consumer,
trickle chargers do not have the advantage of sophisticated electronic control.
Therefore, as they allow the value of charge current to trickle down to what appears to be
safe levels, the output voltage of the charger rises well above 15 VDC, sometimes even
going higher that 16 VDC depending on the charger type and the battery that is connected
to it. Either voltage is well above the gassing voltage of a lead acid battery. If the
battery remains connected to this high level of voltage for an extended period of time,
even less than 1 day, extreme damage can be done to the battery. What appears to be a
cost savings for the charger may actually cost several times the charger price in
replacement batteries.
Q.What makes the Battery Fighter® battery charger different from other automatic
battery chargers?
A.Many automatic battery chargers turn off when the battery voltage rises or the charge
current falls to a preset level. Then after a period of time, when the battery self
discharge characteristics have reduced its terminal voltage significantly, sometimes to
the point where the battery has given up almost 90% of its stored charge, the charger will
turn on and recharge the battery. This type of cycling will dramatically reduce battery
life. The Battery Fighter® battery charger does not turn off. It automatically switches
to a safe float voltage level that keeps the battery charged and yet does not do any harm
to the battery or cause any reduction in its useful life.
Wiring Tips
Q. Where should I place the fuse on my battery/s?
A. You should place a fuse as close as possible to the battery. In fact, the best location
is on the battery itself.
Q. How big a fuse should I use? i.e. what Amp rating should I use?
A. Never use a fuse rated any higher than 2.5 times the maximum load you expect it to deliver.
Remember, when measuring your current draw, that the radio might also be using power from
this circuit. So don't forget to transmit , and see what your real current draw is.
Q. What size wire should I use to route my battery supply up to the instrument panel?
A. This depends greatly on what instruments you have installed. However it is good practiuce to use
to use 14G Aircraft Tefzel wire for this purpose. We can supply TEFZEL if you require it.
Shipping
Q: Do you ship overseas?
A: Yes, when checking out, our cart will calculate shipping costs based upon your shipping destination.
Q. Do you insure shipped parcels?
A. Only upon customers request.
Q.What if I want shiiping via an expedited service?
A. Email us with your equirements and we will do our best to fullfil your request. Extended shipping
charges will be incurred to the customer
Repairs
Q: Who pays for shipping with any repairs, warranty or service work??
A: All shipping charges are borne by the customer. If you wish you can send us a prepaid satchel, or
we will bill you before goods leave our factory.
Q. How much will it cost to repair my instrument?
A. Swift Avionics have a minimum service charge of $90 + gst. If the repair will cost above the minimum
service charge we wilkl contact you before we start.