Glide Navigator II Homepage | Revision History | Polar Data | Downloads

Revision and New Feature History Page
A list of changes released in past versions of Glide Navigator II is available on the Revision History page.  It lists all new features added after the release of Pocket-NAV 5.0.

Documentation

Glide Navigator II Tips
This files contains a few tips that should answer some of the common questions.  I highly recommend you read it before trying to learn Glide Navigator II on your own.  The first part of this document includes tips and answers to frequently asked questions regarding Glide Navigator II.  The second part of the document contains the setup procedure I use when installing Glide Navigator II onto a new Pocket PC.    
Glide Naviator II Tips.pdf

Pocket PC Tips
Pocket PCs are amazing devices. They offer a lot of processor power and a user-friendly touchscreen user interface in a small package. A large market keeps the prices relatively low. However, there are some things you need to know when you start using a Pocket PC. Reading and following the directions in this document will save you many hours of frustration at the airport and will help assure that your Pocket PC is ready for the big flight when you are. Every time you buy a new Pocket PC you should go through this document with the Pocket PC in hand.  
Pocket PC Tips.pdf

Manual
The file below is a slightly rough draft version of the manual.  It is a little out of date, but it is a good manual, written by Chip himself.
GNII Version 1.1 Manual.pdf

Pocket PC Training
Now Available as FREE Online Videos (low resolution) or purchase a CD with the full resolution versions for $14.95

Program Download

Disclaimer
This software is to be used as a reference only for in-flight navigation.  Waypoint file, airspace file and polar data accuracy is the responsibility of the pilot.  Inaccurate setting of numerous user adjustable parameters in the software will make glide slope, distance and arrival altitude calculations incorrect.  Wind estimates calculated by Glide Navigator II and soaring flight computers are approximations and should be monitored by the pilot.  Even if all the data available to Glide Navigator II is correct, final glides in sailplanes are extremely sensitive to movement of the airmass you are flying in.  Winds vary with altitude and these variations are not accounted for in the software.  Also, a little bit of sink can change your glide slope dramatically.  Changes in barometric air pressure due to changes in the weather can affect the altitude received by Glide Navigator II and affect the arrival altitude displayed by Glide Navigator II.  It is the pilot's responsibility to verify that the data presented by Glide Navigator II makes sense and the pilot must make sure he/she does not get into any unsafe situations.  Cumulus Soaring, Inc. and Soaring Innovations are not responsible for incorrect information displayed by Glide Navigator II.  By downloading and using the software the pilot acknowledges his/her responsibility and will not hold Cumulus Soaring, Inc. or Soaring Innovations responsible for errors in the information provided by Glide Navigator II.

Overview
The software below is the fully functional version of the software.  It can be used as a free demo, because it runs only in simulator mode until a password is entered.  Simulator mode is identical to running a licensed version, except that it won't connect to a GPS.  To use it with a GPS you must purchase, and enter a valid password.  If you are downloading the software to try it out for the first time, you may also want to download the Example Waypoint and SUA Files.  The simulator isn't nearly as much fun if you don't see any airports or airspace.  In simulator mode you can use the small "stick" at the bottom of the screen to fly around your region.  Use your stylus to move the top of the stick forward to go faster, and to the side to turn.

The latest released version of Glide Navigator II is below.  For details on the new features please visit the Revision History page.  It lists all new features added after the release of Pocket-NAV 5.0.

Installation

1. Download the Glide Navigator II program file to your PC by right-clicking on the desired filename below and selecting "Save Target As...". 
2. Connect the PC to the Pocket PC using Microsoft ActiveSync (available as a free download at www.pocketpc.com ). 
3. Use Windows Explorer on your PC to copy the program file to your Pocket PC. The full path in Windows Explorer on the PC is "My Computer/Mobile Device/My Pocket PC/Windows/Start Menu".  You can now run the program from the Start Menu on the Pocket PC.
4. I also recommend copying the GN program to an SD (Secure Data) or CF (Compact Flash) memory card as a backup.  Pocket PCs will lose their battery charge after a week or so and all data on the Pocket PC will be lost.  If you have a backup on a memory card you will be ready to fly as soon as you copy the program from the memory card to the Pocket PC. You can copy it using the File Explorer program on the Pocket PC.  I usually save the backup of the program on my memory card at: "My Computer/Mobile Device/My Pocket PC/Storage Card/My Documents". 

The program files are compiled to run on Pocket PCs only and will not run on a PC.

To use the latest 3.x version you will need a password that is tied to your name.  You can order a new password here: New Password.

Waypoint & Airspace Files

Example Waypoint and Airspace Files
The files below can be used to try out the software.  Any waypoint file from John Leibacher's Worldwide Soaring Turnpoint Exchange (at mirror sites here, here, or here) would work.
Installation - Download the files below to your PC and use ActiveSync and Windows Explorer on your PC to copy them into the "My Documents" directory on you Pocket PC or the "My Documents" directory on a memory card installed in the Pocket PC. 
mn-tps-syn-big.txt - Minnesota turnpoint file - Great for testing out the software.
MnSUA.txt - Special Use Airspace (SUA) file for MN and surrounding states.

Waypoint Data Files
Glide Navigator II uses the same turnpoint data format used by Cambridge Aero Instruments products.  Turnpoint data files are available from John Leibacher's Worldwide Soaring Turnpoint Exchange (at mirror site here).  See the Transferring Waypoint and SUA Files to the Pocket PC paragraph below for details on how to transfer the SUA files to your Pocket PC.
Note: When downloading files from the Worldwide Soaring Turnpoint Exchange (at mirror sites here, here, or here), download the files labeled "Cambridge Aero Instruments", not the files labeled "Soaring Innovations Glide Nav®". Those files are for the original, early 1990's version of Glide Navigator which ran on HP-95 Palmtop computers.

Special Use Airspace (SUA) Data Files
Glide Navigator II uses the Tim Newport-Piece format for Special Use Airspace data files.  SUA files for many regions of the world are available on John Leibacher's Worldwide Soaring Turnpoint Exchange (at mirror site here).  The SUA data files are located in the same area as the waypoint files for each soaring site.  Look under "S" for "Special Use Airspace" files.  See the Transferring Waypoint and SUA Files to the Pocket PC paragraph below for details on how to transfer the SUA files to your Pocket PC.

StrePla is an excellent source of airspace data.  It can import DAFIF data files and export airspace data in many formats. 

Transferring Waypoint and SUA Files to the Pocket PC
Download the waypoint and SUA files to your PC.  Connect the PC to the Pocket PC using Microsoft ActiveSync (available as a free download at www.pocketpc.com ).  Use Windows Explorer on your PC to copy the waypoint and SUA files to your Pocket PC.  Copy the files any of the directories listed below.  I have included the entire path as shown in Windows Explorer on the PC (not the Pocket PC). The directory names must be exactly as shown - capitalization is important:

• "My Computer/Mobile Device/My Pocket PC/Storage Card/My Documents" (I recommend this location)
• "My Computer/Mobile Device/My Pocket PC/Storage Card/SUAsandWPs" (must not be a sub-directory in the "My Documents" directory)
• "My Computer/Mobile Device/My Pocket PC/My Documents"
• "My Computer/Mobile Device/My Pocket PC/My Documents/SUAsandWPs" (this one is a sub-directory of the "My Documents" directory)