OPERATING MANUAL FLARM COLLISION WARNING UNIT
Version 4.06E
Page 2 of 12
March 28, 2009
1.
Welcome to the FLARM user community
Thank you for purchasing FLARM, a modern low-cost collision-warning unit for sailplanes and light aircraft.
The main task for FLARM is to support the pilot, while he scans the airspace ahead with his own eyes.
FLARM is simple to use and does not distract the pilot from the main business in hand.
Sport flying is an activity that is associated with considerable risks for crew, passengers, third parties and
other objects.
In order to make full and safe use of FLARM, it is absolutely essential to be fully aware
of the risks, operating conditions, restrictions and limitations associated with the use of FLARM,
ensure a proper installation and do regular software updates. This includes familiarity with and
observance of this Operating Manual and the Installation Manual.
Additional configuration information
can be found in the ‘Data Port Specifications' document, e.g. how to suppress additional data at the serial
port what might be required in international championships.
We welcome user feedback and reports, suggestions for improvements, and pictures that will help us make
further improvements to FLARM. Feedback reports should give a detailed description of the situation,
quoting the hardware and software versions used, plus the flight data records in IGC format with short time
recording intervals.
The latest version of this handbook and other related documents can be found at the Website
www.flarm.com. This Website also has answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
This Website also carries announcements when new software versions or functions become available. If you
enter your name on the mailing list, you will automatically receive notification of changes as and when they
happen: https://lists.flarm.com/mailman/listinfo/user-list_flarm.com
To use existing devices in April 2008 or later, it is required to update the software to version 4.00 or higher.
Use the free PC installation software available at www.flarm.com. You need a PC with Windows 98 / ME /
2000 / XP with a serial port or a suited USB-serial converter plus a data-power cable like the one used for
most IGC flight recorders. This cable connects the PC to FLARM and supplies FLARM with power. Ensure
you have configured the correct PC COM-port, only use the Power/Data-port on FLARM (not the Extension-
port) and know the printed device serial number. After completion of the software update, use the same PC
software to load the most recent obstacle file to FLARM; this file is available on www.flarm.com as well. Then
use the PC software to configure the flight recording functionality accordingly. In case of questions, contact
your FLARM dealer.
Software-versions 4.x will only remain operational until
March 01, 2011
. Before this date, you must update
the device in order to use it in the air. The update is available in October 2010.
2.
How it works
FLARM receives position and movement information from an internal 16 channel GPS receiver with an
external antenna. A pressure sensor further enhances the accuracy of position measurements. The
predicted flight path is calculated by FLARM and the information - including a unique identifier - transmitted
by radio as low-power digital burst signals at one-second intervals. Provided they are within receiving range,
the signals are almost at the same time received by further aircraft also equipped with FLARM. The incoming
signal is compared with the flight path predicted by calculation for the second aircraft. At the same time,
FLARM compares the predicted flight path with known data on obstacles, including electric power lines, radio
masts and cable cars.
If FLARM determines the risk of dangerous proximity to one or more aircraft or obstacles, the unit gives the
pilot warning of the greatest danger at that moment. The warning is given by a whistle sound (beep) and
bright light emitting diodes (LED). The display also gives indication of the threat level, plus the horizontal and
vertical bearing to the threat. During circling flight different methods of calculation are employed to those
used during straight flight.
The GPS and collision information received from other aircraft can also be made available for third party
equipment (e.g. external display, speech synthesizer, PDA) via a serial data output. Such equipment is
available from a number of manufacturers.
