FP10-s5V Flight Pack - Flight Data Module
The FP10 Flight Pack is an innovative product which can turn a Tasman V2000 or VRM10 Sprite Variometer into a speed-to-fly variometer when used with a PDA running soaring flight software.  The speed-to-fly information is sent to the PDA and displayed on the PDA's screen (not on the face of the Tasman V2000). Speed-to-fly (push/pull) indications will be displayed on the VRM10 Sprite vario face (not implemented yet).  The FP10 has built-in Pitot, Static and Outside Air Temperature sensors which allow it to send barometric pressure and airspeed data to the PDA.  It also passes GPS data from an external GPS or FLARM (not included) and vario data from the Tasman V2000 or VRM10 Sprite variometer on to the PDA. If you already own a Tasman V2000 or VRM10 Sprite variometer and use soaring flight software on a PDA then the FP10 is a low cost way to upgrade to a speed-to-fly variometer with accurate airspeed, pressure altitude and vector wind data.  If you don't already own a Tasman VRM10 Sprite variometer then the combination of VRM10 Spite and FP10 is less expensive than many other speed-to-fly variometers.  I also like the modularity of the system.  You can start with the VRM10 Sprite only and upgrade it to a speed-to-fly variometer by adding an FP10, PDA and GPS or FLARM at a later time.  At that point is offers all the flight data found in much more expensive flight computers. Speed-to-fly commands are displayed on the VRM10 Sprite screen and using audio tones. 

The FP10-s5V efficiently converts 12V power from your glider battery into 5V power for the PDA.

Compatible with All Goddard soaring data cables!
The PDA and GPS connectors on the FP10 and FP10-s5V are identical to the connections on the Goddard  PS-5a power converter.  That is great because it means that all the standard soaring cables in stock at Cumulus Soaring, Inc. will work great with the FP10 and FP10-s5V.

Data Sent to PDA

• GPS Data - All GPS Data (GPS not included) from an external GPS is passes through the FP10 to the PDA.
• FLARM, ADS-B, and PCAS (transponder) traffic
  
• Variometer (current value) - Used by the Thermal Assistant in SeeYou Mobile and other soaring software to help you find the center of the current thermal.  Also used for thermal history graphs on the PDA.
• Variometer Average - Displayed on the face of the Tasman V2000 or VRM10 Sprite Variometer and made available to the PDA software.
• True Airspeed (TAS) - The Outside Air Temperature gauge and barometric pressure sensor make it possible to calculate True Airspeed.  The PDA can use the GPS data (ground speed) and True Airspeed data to calculate accurate vector wind speed and direction.
• Barometric Altitude - Sent to the PDA and used to calculate the True Airspeed.

Compatible Soaring Flight Software
The soaring flight software listed below uses the flight data supplied by the FP10.

• XCSoar
• Soaring Pilot
• SeeYou Mobile (click on image below to view larger version) - IMPORTANT NOTE: At this time, SeeYou Mobile does not display the speed-to-fly bar as a fast-updating display. It shows only nominal speed to fly. In the future, it will be displayed on the VRM10 Sprite vario.
  

Included with the FP10-s5V Flight Pack

• FP10-s5V Flight Pack Module
• Data Cable for connecting FP10 to V2000 or VRM10 Sprite Variometer, 6-wire RJ cable
• 2 Tubing Tees
• Installation Manual

Compatibility
The FP10 Flight Pack must be used with a Tasman VRM10 Sprite, V2000 or a Tasman V1000 with a software revision of version 3.2 or higher.  This revision has been supplied since late 2006.  All VRM10 Sprite and V2000 variometers are compatible.  Upgrades for V1000 units are available here: V1000 Upgrade.

Flight Pack Installation Manual