flight recorder

302A Flight Recorder

Cambridge Aero Instruments

CAI | 302 | 302A | 303 | 306 | GPS-NAV | L-NAV | Downloads

Overview

The 302A is a very nice and economically priced flight recorder. It offers some of the key features found in the logger of the 302 - because it was created by taking the vario out of a 302. It can hold 1500 waypoints and record up to 100 hours of flight data at 4 second intervals. Another key feature is its ability to provide enough 5 V power output to run any Pocket PC - no other flight recorder (other than the 302) offers that feature. In combination with the optional 303 LCD Navigation Display it offers simple navigation, task editing and declaration, and much more.

302A with GPS Antenna

The antenna is often mounted

on top with Velcro.

302A with GPS Antenna
and
Power Cable

Optional 303

LCD Navigation Display

Repairs and Calibrations
I (Paul Remde of Cumulus Soaring, Inc.) can replace logger backup batteries, re-seal the electronic security seal in Cambridge GPS-NAV units (but not 302 units), and calibrate the logger altimeters for all Cambridge GPS-NAV and 302 products. You can see details here: Services.

GGarmin GPS Failures in Cambridge Products

Cambridge soaring instruments (and most other brands) used Garmin GPS engines which seem to have a bug such that they are failing. The issue has occurred to a very high percentage of Cambridge products. If yours hasn't failed, it probably will. If your Cambridge flight recorder won't record a flight log, or records flights with a date from several years ago, your logger probably needs repair. Unfortunately, no one is currently able to repair them. Gary Kammerer offered that service in the past, but he's no longer supporting Cambridge products.

Features

GPS Receiver with Remote antenna
Flight Recorder - IGC approved (100 hours @ 4 second intervals)
1500 waypoints - Same waypoint file format used by GPS-NAV, 302, 303 and Glide Navigator II
Provides 5 VDC output for powering any Pocket PC - It is the only flight recorder that offers this nice feature.
Single cable connection to any Pocket PC (no need for a power converter)
Compatible with the 303 LCD Navigation Display with simple navigation, task editing and task declarations
LED Status Monitor
- Steady On - Power on, but not a good satellite lock
- Blinking - Power on and a good satellite lock
Single push-button
- Pilot event recording
- ON/OFF switch if wired for switched power
Dimensions: 2.5" x 2.5" x 6" (64 mm x 64 mm x 153 mm)
Fits a small 2.25" (57 mm) instrument hole
Transfer flight logs using a Pocket PC or PC
Works great with Glide Navigator II, SeeYou Mobile, pocket*StrePla, flyWithCE Navigator, and most other soaring software
Low Cost: $895 including remote antenna

IGC Approval

The 302A has been approved by the IGC for all types of flights (badges, records, etc.).

Need to Know Items

I am very up-front about the limitations of the products I sell. I want to be sure that you feel I have helped you select the best system for your needs. This section points out some items that may not be obvious when comparing products.

Slightly large for a logger. It is bigger than a GPS-NAV, Colibri or Volkslogger, but it is small and light enough to be portable.
Will not send destination elevation data to an L-NAV or transfer L-NAV airspeed and vario data from the L-NAV up to a Pocket PC as the GPS-NAV does.
The 303 LCD Navigation display can not be used to display final glide information or wind information. The GPS-NAV was able to provide wind data on the LCD display, this product can't.

302A Dimensions

Size:	64mm x 64mm x 153mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 6")
Weight:	12.3 oz (349 g)
Supply Voltage:	12-14 VDC
Current:	110 mA With a 303 connected -- 130ma With a Pocket PC and 303 connected — 230ma to 450+ ma. 350 typical

Suction Cup Mounts for use with the 302A

Suction Cup Mount for GPS Antenna

This optional suction cup mount can be used to mount the 302A's GPS antenna to the glider canopy. Velcro (not included) or double-sided tape (not included) would be used to attach the antenna to the mounting plate.
RAM-B-SCMK-RAP-B-201-RAM-B-237

This optional suction cup assembly can be used to mount the 302A to the glider canopy. It is a bit bulky, but it has been tested and it worked fine for an entire soaring contest

Cambridge Aero Instruments 302A with 303 Navigation Display

Low Cost IGC Approved System for Badge and Record Seekers

This system is great in regard to simplicity and ease of use. It avoids the complexity of having a Pocket PC in the cockpit. It is great for syndicates because data for multiple pilots can be stored and edited using the 303. The 302A is a GPS/logger and the 303 is used for navigation, task editing and declarations. It does not display final glide information or wind information. The integral GPS and logger are IGC Approved for all types of soaring accomplishments. The 302A has more memory for flight logs and waypoints than any other logger. It will hold up to 100 hours of flight log positions @ 4 second intervals.

Example System with 302A