TB32 Echo, Recorded Sound Alarm
Echo is a self contained digital recorded message alarm.  If you have ever seen a fiberglass glider slide down a hard surfaced runway on its belly with the gear up you will know that this item is an excellent investment.  It is a shame to put a flat spot (or worse) onto the bottom of a beautiful sailplane.  Certainly, no product can guarantee that the pilot will hear it and follow the directions when busy setting up a landing.  However, this product can help you remember to lower the gear, hopefully early in the landing pattern, or before entering the landing pattern.

Hear how it sounds in the Tasman Overview Video (toward the end of the video).

Included in the unit is a microphone for recording a message or sound up to 14 seconds in duration.  The message is retained without power connected and plays continuously when power is supplied

Mounting Options
Fits into a small 57 mm (2.25") instrument panel hole.  Also includes tabs for surface mounting.

Dimensions: 59 x 59 x 32 mm (2.32 x 2.32 x 1.26 inches)

Echo is ideal as a "wheels up" alarm or in any alarm application.
The voice message ensures attention even during high workload or stress situations.

Operating power supply: 7 to 18 volts at 100mA. 9 volt battery and clip supplied.  Note: The included 9V battery is intended for use when recording the voice message - not for use in the glider.  Most installations connect the Echo to the glider's 12 volt power supply.
Standby power drain: Zero

Example message for gear up warning: "Landing gear is up.  Lower the landing gear."

Landing gear and airbrake switches are required but not included.  I offer some very nice, small switches on my Miscellaneous page.  I recommend using the magnetic reed sensors if possible because they are non-contact friction-free devices that will not interfere with the objects they are sensing.  However, magnetic reed sensors require that a target (magnet) is mounted on the item to be sensed.   Mechanical lever sensors sense the actual item rather than a magnet.

Switch/Sensor Installations
The idea is to use 2 switches in series that allow current to flow when the airbrakes are open and the landing gear is not down and locked.

• Airbrakes Locked Sensor
  The goal is to have current flow when the airbrakes are not closed and locked (fully forward)
  • Use a normally closed switch at the forward (airbrakes locked) position
• Landing Gear Down and Locked Sensor
  The goal is to have current flow when the landing gear is not down and locked.
  • If the switch is mounted in the gear down and locked position then use a normally closed switch (recommended).
  • If the switch is mounted in the gear up position then use a normally open switch.

Recommendations
The goal of this product is to help pilots realize early in the landing pattern that they do not have the landing gear down.  For example, if the pilot flies the entire flight with the gear down and then enters the landing pattern and raises the landing gear while performing his landing checklist on the downwind leg of the landing pattern.  A good landing checklist has the "Undercarriage" listed before the "Airbrake Check" (be sure to open the airbrakes) so that when the airbrakes are checked the pilot will hear the landing gear warning if the gear is not down.  Certainly there is a lot going on while in the landing pattern.  It is highly recommended that the landing checklist be completed on the downwind leg of the landing pattern - not while on final approach.  Some accidents have occurred when pilots realize their landing gear is up just before touchdown and try to lower it at that point.  If your landing gear is not down when you are on short final you should leave it up and land the glider as gently as possible.  A little damage to the glider is highly preferable to major damage to the pilot and glider.  Hopefully this device, along with a properly executed landing checklist on the downwind leg of the landing pattern, will help pilots get their gear down early in the pattern.