Introduction

Flight Contest plans the timed competition sequence of a general aviation powered flight contest and evaluates results for planning tests, navigation tests, observations and/or landings.

Flight Contest has a flexible contest management system. This includes the support of:

  • different competition regulations (FAI, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, expandable)
    (adaptation of individual evaluation details (points) possible if required)

  • competition classes (different evaluation of crew groups in one competition)

  • combined competitions (simultaneous competitions with a common starting field)

  • parallel competitions (concurrent competitions with independent starting fields)

  • the evaluation of special crew groups, which can be defined ad hoc

Is an open source, multilingual, network-enabled database application based on Java techniques:

  • The user interface runs in the web browser (Firefox, Edge Chromium, Chrome, etc.).

  • It can be used on multiple networked computers simultaneously.

  • Each user can use his preferred operating language (German, English, extensible).

  • Crash-proof

  • High security against operating errors

Supports logger data formats GAC, IGC, GPX, KML, KMZ and NMEA 0183 (extensible).

Generates OSM-based topographic A3 and A4 competition maps in TÜK-200 style.

Creates PDF for print and internet publishing.

Sends emails of the navigation flight charts to the participants.

Supports special stretching properties:

  • Secret time checks

  • Scenic legs

  • Semicircles

  • Touch-and-go landings

Provides a live score display (Live Scoring):

  • Display of the preliminary ranking during a debriefing.

  • Simultaneous publication on the local network and the Internet

Provides integrated map viewers for navigation flights, routes and logger files:

  • Offline map display for navigation flight evaluation

  • Fast offline map display near a selected turnpoint

  • Online map display with Open Street Map

  • Logger data display for GAC, IGC, GPX, KML, KMZ and NMEA files with optional gpx download

Operating manuals

Supported rulesets

Default competition / Tasks to be done

Contest organizer
Scoring manager

  1. Before competition day

  1. Engineer competition route
    (Coordinates, maps, pictures, ground signs, turning loops, secret time checks).

  2. Engineer approach and departure route
    (distances/time requirements, maps, radio, tower communication)

  3. Engineer track design description
    (if planning test includes track construction)

  4. Prepare document envelopes
    (maps, pictures, approach and departure routes, radio frequencies, description of route construction if necessary)

  5. Import route and check for plausibility
    (turning loops, exactness of coordinates)

  6. Calculate preliminary schedule of the competition day
    (assumed takeoff/landing direction, without wind)

  1. On contest day

  1. Calculate schedule of the competition day
    (taking into account the specified start/landing direction and the specified wind)

  2. Print schedules & evaluation lists for notice board & various referees

    • Overview and crew schedule for posting

    • Crew list for logger output

    • Referee schedule for tower (aircraft, takeoff time, latest landing time)

    • Referee schedule for preparation room (crew, aircraft, issue time)

    • Referee schedule for landings (Aircraft, Latest landing time)

    • Referee schedule for documents handover (Aircraft, Latest landing time, Parking)

  3. Print crew specific data

    • Label for document envelopes

    • Input forms for planning test

    • Evaluation forms for observations

    • Flight plans

  4. Logger output

    • Switch on logger

    • Document logger number

  5. Complete document envelopes

    • Add crew specific labels

    • Add crew-specific input forms for planning test

    • Add crew specific evaluation forms for observations

  6. Briefing

    • Route (turn loops, secret time check, approach/departure procedures, radio, tower communication)

    • Procedure (handing out of documents, handing in of evaluation forms/loggers after arrival, receipt of results)

    • Weather

  7. Coordinate planning test and flight preparation room

    • Document envelope issuance

    • Take back planning test input forms

    • Issue crew-specific flight plan

    • Document time of leaving the preparation room.

  8. Evaluate planning test

    • Scan and import planning test form

    • Data input planning test

  9. Check logger on departing crews

  10. Survey landings

    • Document landing field (0, Field name, Out)

    • Document abnormal landing

    • Transmit landing result continuously to scoring manager

  11. Coordinate arriving crews

    • Monitor time for completion of evaluation form

    • Receive evaluation form and logger

    • Transport evaluation form and logger to scoring manager

  12. Evaluate landings and navigation flight

    • Data entry landings

    • Logger evaluation

    • Scan and import observation evaluation form

    • Data input observations

    • Print and transfer result for crew

    • Update live evaluation

  13. Distribute results

    • Collect results from the scoring manager

    • Hand over results continuously to crews

    • Receive queries from the crews and make decisions

    • Hand over corrections to the scoring manager

  14. Final evaluation

    • Process corrections in response to crew queries.

    • Process final landing list

    • Create final evaluation

  15. Create certificates

  16. Victory ceremony

Operating tips

  • Bold marked texts and numbers as well as the sign '…​' are links, behind which further data are hidden.

  • When entering times, a '.', ',', or ';' can also be used instead of the ':'. This makes it unnecessary to press the shift key with the german ':' key and a numeric keyboard with a comma can also be used.

  • When entering fractional numbers, a '.' can also be used instead of the ','.

  • When entering land measurement values, lowercase letters can be used instead of uppercase letters, which eliminates the need to press the shift key.

  • When entering landing values, the landing value "out" for landings outside the landing box and "no" for landings outside the landing box can be entered, in order to enter these errors without mouse clicks.

Changes to competition implementation

Crew does not participate in the short term

Deactivate crew (crews)
Schedule remains unchanged.

Crew cannot start as planned

Push crew to the end of the task (planning)
A new flight plan is calculated for the affected crew.

Starts shift in time

Correct start time of affected crews (planning)
A new flight plan is calculated for the affected crews.

Flying wind changes during takeoffs

Assign other flight wind to remaining crews (planning)
A new flight plan is calculated for the remaining crews.

Planning test is to be evaluated with a different wind than the one originally specified

Assign a new planning task with a different wind to the planning test and assign crew to this new planning task (planning)

TAS of a crew changes after planning tests and flight plans have already been calculated

After changing the TAS of a crew, mark the crew and move it down and up once (planning)
Changed TAS is transferred to the task.
Planning test is recalculated immediately.
Flight plan is recalculated with 'Calculate schedule'.
This may result in warnings for subsequent aircraft. If necessary, move crew to the end of the task.

Crew must change aircraft due to defect

Assign crew the new aircraft and if necessary another TAS (crews)
New aircraft and new TAS will be used on new tasks.
Old aircraft and old TAS remain unchanged for completed tasks.

Turnpoint overflight time of a task should not be evaluated

Disable 'time evaluation' of the turn point (Results → Disable check points)
Causes recalculation of the result.

Secret time check of a task should not be scored

'Time evaluation' and 'Goal missed' of the secret time check. deactivate (Results → Deactivate check points)
Causes recalculation of the result.

Recalculate schedule of a task

'Reset order' and 'Calculate schedule' in succession
Deletes all flight schedules and sets the order of the crews to the order in the crew list.
Start times of all crews and flight plans are recalculated.

Create crew list

Crew lists are created using Excel.
Use the template FC-CrewList-Sample.xlsx whose structure ensures a successful import.

The list captures the following data:

  • No. (start number) (optional)

  • Pilot (first name, last name and optional e-mail)

  • Navigator (optional, with first name, last name and optional e-mail)

  • Team (optional)

  • Class (for competitions with different evaluation classes)

  • TAS (kn)

  • Aircraft registration plate

  • Aircraft type (optional)

  • Aircraft color (optional)

  • Tracker ID (optional, for competitions with live tracking)

This list must be available on the day of the competition (sorting is not necessary).

Specify start numbers only if special numbering is required. Start numbers that are not specified are automatically assigned a number during import (the first number after the highest existing number).

This template can also be used for planning of other matters of the competition (hotel, contact details). For this purpose, columns, rows, and table sheets may be inserted according to the following rules:

  • Any number of additional columns at the end (after the 'Tracker ID' column).

  • Any number of additional rows after a blank row following the last crew to be imported

  • Any number of table sheets at any positions. Only data from the table sheet 'Crews' will be imported.

Crew lists are added to the 'Flight Contest' database with 'Crews → Import Excel crew list'. If the option "Omit start number" is selected, the specified numbers will not be used or replaced by another start number. The numbers to be omitted can be configured under 'Competition → Defaults' (default: '13').

Only crew names (pilot + navigator) that are not yet in the 'Flight Contest' database are imported. Corrections of already imported crew names (pilot or navigator) will cause the re-import of the crew with assignment of another start number. Therefore correct crews after an import only in 'Flight Contest'.

Route planning

Definitions
Required details for a competitive route
Competitive route input
Import of competition routes
Create competition routes with Task Creator
Create competition routes with Google Earth Pro
Add SCs and curved route sections with Google Earth Pro.
Create competition route with semicircles
Create competition routes with the help of a printed map
Manage photos and canvas signs
Verify the competition route
Passing the competition route to the scoring manager
Error messages in route details

Definitions

Start point (SP), check points (CP) and finish point (FP) are logger measuring points of a route, where overflight time and flight altitude are measured as well as previous course changes >= 90 degrees are determined.

Turn points (TP) are check points, where a course change occurs and which are in the flight plan of a crew.

Secret time checks (SC) are check points for time measurements on the route that are not in a crew’s flight plan.

Takeoff (TO) is a check point where the overflight time is measured to evaluate compliance with the takeoff time window.

Landing (LDG) is a check point where the overflight time is measured to evaluate compliance with the latest landing time.

Intermediate points are design points for an intermediate landing. At the intermediate final point (iFP) and intermediate takeoff point (iSP) the overflight time and altitude are measured and evaluated. Intermediate landing (iLDG) is only used for display in the flight plan of a crew.

Required details for a competitive route

In a competition map, the starting point, turning points and finish point of a route are to be indicated language-dependently with the following designations:

Competition language Check point designations

German

SP, WP1, WP2, …​, FP

English

SP, TP1, TP2, …​, FP

Intermediate points shall be indicated with the following designations: iFP, iLDG, iSP

For a competition route, the following information is required for all check points:

  • Coordinates

  • Height of the terrain above normal zero (Altitude, in ft)

    TO, LDG, iLDG: 0 ft

  • Gate width (in NM)

  • Gate direction for TO, LDG, iLDG (in degrees)

  • For precise correspondence of the printed competition map with the data to be processed, distances must be measured on the competition map and entered into the field 'Distance measurement (map) [mm]'. Thereby the distance from the previous turn point is measured in mm (for a map with the competition scale 1:200000). The previous turn point is a check point that is not an secret time check.

  • Auxiliary points are to be entered for curved legs of the course. These are to be entered as SC with the following information:

    • No time evaluation

    • No gate evaluation

    • No flight planning test

  • The turning point, with which the curved leg ends, is to be entered:

    • No flight planning test, so that the curved leg is not included in the flight planning test

    • Check point after curved leg

      The flight plan of the crew receives as direction automatically the direction to the first auxiliary point as entry course to the curved leg.

  • For stopovers, enter the following information for iLDG:

    • Gate width (in NM)

    • Gate direction (in degrees)

    • No time evaluation

    • No gate evaluation

    • No flight planning test

    • Fixed flight time for stopover with pause (in min)

Properties to be entered for the check points of a route:

  Point                       Check                  in         Evaluation
                              Point        Direction Flightplan Time Course Altitude

  Takeoff                     TO           250       yes        yes  no     no
  Start point                 SP           -         yes        yes  no     yes
  Turning point               TP1          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
  Secret time check           SC1          -         no         yes  yes    yes
  Touch&Go landing            iFP          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              iLDG (1,2)   250       yes        no   no     no
                              iSP  (2)     -         yes        yes  no     yes
  Semicircle                  SC2  (1,2)   -         no         no   yes    yes
                              TP2  (2,3)   -         yes        yes  yes    yes
  Scenic leg                  SC3  (1,2,4) -         no         no   no     yes
                              TP3  (2,3)   -         yes        yes  yes    yes
  Final point                 FP           -         yes        yes  yes    yes
  Landing                     LDG          250       yes        yes  no     no

  (1) No time evaluation, No goal evaluation
  (2) No flight planning test
  (3) Check point after curved route
  (4) No evaluation of bad course
  Route examples              Check                  in         Evaluation
                              Point        Direction Flightplan Time Course Altitude
  Normal                      TO           250       yes        yes  no     no
                              SP           -         yes        yes  no     yes
                              TP1          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              TP2          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              TP3          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              TP4          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              FP           -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              LDG          250       yes        yes  no     no

  Secret time check           TO           250       yes        yes  no     no
                              SP           -         yes        yes  no     yes
                              TP1          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              SC1          -         no         yes  yes    yes
                              SC2          -         no         yes  yes    yes
                              TP2          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              FP           -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              LDG          250       yes        yes  no     no

  Touch&Go intermediate       TO           250       yes        yes  no     no
  landing                     SP           -         yes        yes  no     yes
                              TP1          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              iFP          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              iLDG (1,2)   250       yes        no   no     no
                              iSP (2)      -         yes        yes  no     yes
                              TP2          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              FP           -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              LDG          250       yes        yes  no     no

  Semicircle                  TO           250       yes        yes  no     no
                              SP           -         yes        yes  no     yes
                              TP1          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              SC1 (1,2)    -         no         no   yes    yes
                              SC2 (1,2)    -         no         no   yes    yes
                              TP2 (2,3)    -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              FP           -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              LDG          250       yes        no   no     no

  Scenic leg                  TO           250       yes        yes  no     no
                              SP           -         yes        yes  no     yes
                              TP1          -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              SC1 (1,2,4)  -         no         no   no     yes
                              SC2 (1,2,4)  -         no         no   no     yes
                              TP2 (2,3)    -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              FP           -         yes        yes  yes    yes
                              LDG          250       yes        no   no     no

Competitive route input

When entering a route in 'Flight Contest', please note that the check points can only be entered one after the other and inserting check points is not possible. All properties except the check point type can be changed until the first use. Terrain heigth and gate width are also changeable after the first use.

Alternatively, the input and forwarding of routes or parts of them is also possible with text files (UTF-8). In an empty route all check points can be added with "Import coordinates" from a text file (incl. properties):

TO,   Lat 48° 46.66700' N, Lon 010° 15.79600' E, Alt 1915ft, Gate 270° 0.02NM
SP,   Lat 48° 49.84000' N, Lon 010° 12.70000' E, Alt 2567ft, Gate 1.0NM
TP1,  Lat 49° 00.96800' N, Lon 010° 12.89500' E, Alt 2395ft, Gate 1.0NM
SC1,  Lat 49° 01.83100' N, Lon 009° 55.43200' E, Alt 2063ft, Gate 2.0NM
TP2,  Lat 48° 53.41200' N, Lon 009° 53.52700' E, Alt 2162ft, Gate 1.0NM
iFP,  Lat 49° 04.22500' N, Lon 009° 45.77600' E, Alt 1713ft, Gate 1.0NM
iLDG, Lat 49° 07.09700' N, Lon 009° 47.07600' E, Alt 1308ft, Gate 280° 1.0NM,notime,nogate,noplan
iSP,  Lat 49° 10.58100' N, Lon 009° 47.80100' E, Alt 1920ft, Gate 1.0NM, noplan
TP3,  Lat 49° 15.92100' N, Lon 009° 45.44600' E, Alt 1279ft, Gate 1.0NM
TP4,  Lat 49° 18.40600' N, Lon 009° 57.57000' E, Alt 2021ft, Gate 1.0NM
FP,   Lat 48° 51.90800' N, Lon 010° 18.04600' E, Alt 2266ft, Gate 1.0NM
LDG,  Lat 48° 46.68300' N, Lon 010° 16.05600' E, Alt 1915ft, Gate 270° 0.02NM

Check point, latitude, longitude, altitude, gate direction and latitude, etc.

Allowed coordinate representations according to competition setting.

Import of observations from text files (see 'Start menu → Flight Contest → Instructions Observations' → chapter 'Configure observation evaluation')

The Route Printout (Route → Print) contains the text representations of all check points and observations, which can be saved to text files and then used for import:

  • Route coordinates (export)

  • Turning point signs (export)

  • Route photos (export)

  • Route ground signs (Export)

Import of competition routes

With 'Routes → Import Route' routes of the following formats can also be imported:

  • GPX file generated by a third-party program (e.g. 'Flight Planner').

    May contain only exactly one route (<rte>…​</ret>).

    Must contain altitude information (<rtept lat="49.118333" lon="9.784000"><ele>400.00</ele></rtept>).

  • KML or KMZ file generated by a third-party program.

  • REF file generated from an AFLOS reference line.

  • TXT file (UTF-8) containing one coordinate per line with the following structure:

    Latitude, Longitude, Altitude

    Examples for different coordinate representations (according to competition settings):

    Lat 52.20167°,          Lon 16.76500°,           Alt 1243ft
Lat 52° 12.10000' N,    Lon 016° 45.90000' E,    Alt 1243ft
Lat 52° 12' 06.0000" N, Lon 016° 45' 54.0000" E, Alt 1243ft

    Values separated by comma (spaces before prefix and after unit are ignored)

    Blank lines and lines starting with # are ignored

Create competition routes with Task Creator

  1. Create route with TO (Routes → New route)

  2. Routes → OSM Contest Map → Determine airspaces around the airport (if OpenAIP access has been configured)

    The height of the airspaces to be taken into account can be adjusted (4000ft by default).
    Airspaces not to be taken into account can be commented out with a # in front if required.
    An export for viewing in Google Earth can be carried out with "KMZ export airspaces".

  3. Print competition map with TO

    • Routes → OSM Contest Map → Generate online map around airport

    • Routes → OSM Contest Map → Generate Task Creator map around airport

    • If OpenAIP access has been configured, airports with ICAO map style are plotted on the map.
      Otherwise, airfields from OSM data are plotted on the map with a simple aircraft symbol.

  4. Start Task Creator (Maps → AirportArea (Task Creator) → …​)

    In the started Task Creator, the "Map Url" is preset in the Task Creator and can be loaded with Load.
    After activating Turn Points → Edit, turn points can be added to the map by double-clicking.
    With Save task data the task can be saved as a CSV file in the download folder of the computer.

  5. Start Task-Creator for further editing (Maps → Task Creator)

    With Load task data the saved CSV file of a task can be loaded.
    A preset "Map Url" must be loaded with Load.
    After activating Turn Points → Edit, further processing of the task is possible.

  6. Exporting the competition route (Task Creator → Export FC kml)

  7. Import the competition route (Routes → Import FC route)

    If you get the error "Coordinates procedure turn differences" press the button Calculate legs again.
    The correctness of the route can now be checked with OSM online map.

Create competition routes with Google Earth Pro

  1. Input (Google Earth Pro)

  1. Save FC-Route-Sample.kmz to your computer

  2. Open 'FC-Route-Sample.kmz' on your computer with 'Google Earth Pro'.

  3. Open airspace data (C:\FCSave\.geodata\airspaces.kmz) if needed
    (to be found here for installation: https://my.hidrive.com/share/vobbr89etw#$/Geodata).

  4. Enter check points

    • Click the Route folder and add a 'Path'.
      The 'Edit Path' dialog opens. Set the name of the path according to the route name.
      With the 'Edit Path' dialog still open, left click in the graphics area to add all check points (TO, SP, TP1, TP2, …​, FP, LDG) of the route without SCs one after the other.
      The position does not have to be exact yet. Its accuracy can be corrected afterwards.
      Exit 'Edit path' dialog

    • To change the position of a check point:
      Navigate to the desired check point in the graphic area
      Open the 'Properties' context menu of the path
      With the 'Edit path' dialog open, grab the check point with the left mouse button and drag it to the desired position + Close the 'Edit path' dialog Close 'Edit path' dialog

    • Secret time checks or curved legs can be added after the course import.

  5. Enter route photos

    • Click the Photos folder and add a 'location marker' per track photo.
      The 'Placemark' dialog opens. Set the name of the placemark according to the image name (running number or letter) (can be changed after importing)
      Move the position of the placemark in the graphics area to the desired object
      Exit 'Placemark' dialog

  6. Add route ground sign

    • Click the Canvas folder and add a 'placemark' per route ground sign.
      The 'placemark' dialog will open. Set name of placemark with 'S01' to 'S15' (can be changed after import)
      Move the position of the placemark in the graphic area to the desired position
      Close 'Placemark' dialog

  7. Save 'FC-Route-Sample.kmz' with context menu 'Save location as' with your route name

  1. Route import (Flight Contest)

  1. Routes → Import route

    • Select saved kmz file

    • Directory name in kml/kmz file: *enter route

    • click 'Import

  2. Tracks → Track → Import track photos

    • Select saved kmz file

    • Enter directory name in kml/kmz file: *Photos

    • click 'Import

  3. Routes → Route → Import route ground sign

    • Select saved kmz file

    • Directory name in kml/kmz file: *Canvas

    • click 'Import

Add SCs and curved route sections with Google Earth Pro.

  1. Export route (Route → KMZ-Export) and open with Google Earth Pro .

  2. Navigate to the node 'Filename.kmz → Route name → Route export → turnpoints' .

  3. Click on the turnpoint after which you want to add SCs or a curved section of the route.

    • Execute context menu item "Copy"
      Execute context menu item "Paste" once or several times (according to the number of required IPCs) + "Edit properties of added points in 'Place marker' dialog Edit "Properties" of the added points in the 'Placemark' dialog:

      • In the Name field adjust check point name and gate width
        (TP1 → SC, e.g. "TP1, Gate 1.0NM" → "SC, Gate 2.0NM" (SC does not need to be numbered))

      • Grab point in graphic area with left mouse button and drag to desired position

      • Close 'Place marking' dialog

  4. Save 'Filename.kmz' with context menu 'Save location as' in new kmz file

  5. Import the corrected route (Route → Import FC Route)

  6. Activate the option 'Check point after curved leg' at the turn point with which the curved section ends.

Create competition route with semicircles

  1. Definition of a semicircle

    • Insert a SC coordinate between 2 turning points with the option 'Circle center' activated.

    • Check the correctness of the semicircle with the OSM online map or a generated OSM contest map.

    • If necessary, adjust the SC coordinate or the surrounding turnpoint coordinates if the semicircle is not correctly terminated by the turnpoints.

    • Activate the option 'Invert semi circle' if you want the semicircle to go around the center point the other way.

  2. Create a route with a curved leg

    • Activate the route setting 'Export semicircle gates from circle centers'.

    • Execute 'GPX export (with semicircle gates)'.

    • Execute '→ Routes → Import FC route' with the previously exported GPX file. This route now contains a curved leg that includes the semicircle.

Create competition routes with the help of a printed map

  1. Select area around TO

  2. Create route with TO (Routes → New route)

  3. Print competition map with TO (route → OSM Contest Map)
    Place TO at a desired position (top right, bottom left or similar).

  4. Select suitable turning points on the printed map
    With the coordinate rulers on the left and above, the turning point coordinates can be determined to the minute with a compass.

  5. Enter distance with the coordinates read off (Distance → Add coordinate).

  6. Export route (Route → KMZ-Export)

  7. Open KMZ file with Google Earth Pro and move turning points to the exact positions.

    1. Navigate to the node 'Filename.kmz → Route name → Route export → turnpoints'.

    2. Click on each point and select context menu item 'Properties' …​

    3. Move point to exact position and close properties dialog …​

    4. Save 'Filename.kmz' with context menu 'Save location as' in new kmz file

  8. Import the corrected route (Route → Import FC Route)

  9. Check competition map (route → OSM online map)

  10. Print competition map (route → OSM Contest Map)

Manage photos and canvas signs

  1. In the Route settings of an unused route, data input (→ Definition), evaluation (→ Measurement) and print style for turning points, enroute photos and enroute canvas signs are defined.

    1. Definition „None“: No observation

    2. Definition „Assign photo“: A named photo is assigned to the turning point.

    3. Definition „Assign canvas“: A defined canvas sign is assigned to the turning point.

    4. Definition „Correct/Incorrect photo“: The turning point is assigned the information as to whether the turning point photo is correct or incorrect.

    5. Definition „Name“: Only the name of an enroute photo/canvas sign is defined. This means that only the "Map" measurement by debriefing judge is possible.

    6. Definition „Coordinate“: The position of an enroute photo/canvas sign is defined by a coordinate. This allows the distance from the track to be calculated.

    7. Definition „Distance in NM“: The position of an enroute photo/canvas sign is defined by a distance in NM from the last turning point.

    8. Definition „Distance in mm“: The position of an enroute photo/canvas sign is defined by a distance in mm from the last turning point.

    9. Definition „Coordinate and distance in mm“: The position of an enroute photo/canvas sign is defined by both a coordinate and a distance in mm from the last turning point. This means that maps with large deviations of the image position from the coordinate can be used.

    10. Measurement „Map“: A debriefing judge checks the crew map and fills out a debriefing form. Otherwise, the crew will do this themselves.

    11. Measurement „NM from previous turn point“: The crew determines the distance from the last turning point in NM itself.

    12. Measurement „mm from previous turn point “: The crew determines the distance from the last turning point in mm themselves.

    13. The „Print style“ determines the arrangement of the turning point and route photos when printing.

    14. The activated "Marking the position in photo printing" draws a square mark on the photo, the position of which can be defined during input.

  2. Definition of the turning point assignments

    In the route details, open the „Turnpoint observations“. Click on "1 …​" to open the editing of the first turning point. Here you can now determine whether the turning point photo is correct or incorrect (for the definition "Correct/Incorrect photo"). Click "Save and next point" to save the setting and open the editing of the next turning point.

    Alternatively, these specifications can also be entered in a text file and imported using "Import turnpoint sign".

  3. Import the turning point images

    You will need a zip file containing all the turning point images as jpg files. The jpg files must have the English turning point names (SP.jpg, TP1.jpg, …​, FP.jpg). Select the zip file with "Import turnpoint photo images" and start the import with "Import".

  4. Print the turning point images

    The turning point images are printed with "Print turnpoint photos".
    If necessary, adjust the arrangement of the turning point images under "Route settings → Print style".
    A desired page change must be set in "Turnpoint observations" in a turnpoint with "Continue turnpoint photo printing on next page".

  5. Import enroute photo coordinates

    You need a kmz or kml file that contains a directory in which all enroute photos are entered as "place markers". Select this file with "Import enrote photo", enter the directory name and start the import with "Import".
    The "Set names automatically" option must be deactivated if you want to keep the names of the photos. In this case, however, only whole numbers (1, 2, …​) or letters (A, B, …​) are allowed.

  6. Import the enroute images

    You will need a zip file containing all the enroute images as jpg files. The jpg files must have the enroute photo names (1.jpg, 2.jpg, …​). Select the zip file with "Import enroute photo images" and start the import with "Import".

    With "Assign enroute photo names randomly", the photo names are put in a random order.

  7. Print the enroute images

    With "Print enroute photos (alphabetical)", the enroute images are printed for output to the crews.
    If necessary, adjust the arrangement of the enroute images under "Route settings → Print style".
    A desired page change must be set in "Turnpoint observations" in a turnpoint with "Continue enroute photo printing on next page".

  8. Import enroute canvas sign coordinates

    You need a kmz or kml file that contains a directory in which all enroute canvas signs are entered as "place markers". Select this file with "Import enroute canvas", enter the directory name and start the import with "Import".
    The option "Set names automatically" must be deactivated if you want to keep the names of the canvas signs. In this case, however, only the names of the canvas signs (S01, S02, …​, S15) are permitted.

Supplementary notes:

  • Managing images in Flight Contest requires a considerable amount of main memory. If necessary, the main memory must be increased (Flight Contest Manager → Right mouse button → Service commands → Service Manager → Configure → Java → Maximum memory pool) and restart Flight Contest.

  • Routes with images should not be used for contest evaluation, as this considerably increases the runtime of evaluation commands. Therefore, copy the contest with the routes and delete the images in the new competition with "Delete turnpoint photos" and "Delete enroute photo images" for each route.

  • Delete the database at the end of the competition ('C:\Program Files\Flight Contest\fc\fcdb.h2.db'), so that you have enough main memory for image management for the next competition. To do this, you must first stop Flight Contest (Flight Contest Manager → Right mouse button → Service commands → Stop Flight Contest).

Verify the competition route

Check your entered route in 'Route details' as follows:

  • OSM online map:

    • Check points at the correct locations?

    • TO/iLDG/LDG gate in the middle of the runway and correct in preferred direction and width?

  • Evaluation legs:

    • Distances plausible?

    • Total distance plausible?

    • Turning loops (course changes > 90 degrees) correct?

Passing the competition route to the scoring manager

Export a course entered with 'Flight Contest' with 'GPX-Export' or 'KMZ-Export'. to pass it on to the judge, who can import it with 'Routes → Import FC-Route'. into his 'Flight Contest' for use.

Error messages in route details

If tracks are incomplete or configured differently from the selected rule set, a ! appears in front of the track title in the track list. appears in front of the track title in the track list and error messages are marked in red in the track details.

Unknown last turning points

Some last turn points of route photos or ground signs could not be calculated.
Correct the coordinate of the track photo or ground sign.

Number of legs too small

Reduce 'Min. legs' (Competition → Defaults)

Number of legs too large

'Max. Enlarge legs' (Competition → Defaults)

Photo number too small

'Track photo observations → Definition' set with 'None' (Edit) or
Reduce 'Min. track photos' (Competition → Defaults)

Ground sign count too small

'Route ground mark observations → Definition' set with 'None' (Edit) or
Decrease 'Min. distance ground signs' (Competition → Defaults)

Photo+ground sign count too small

Reduce 'Min. track photos+ground characters' (Competition → Defaults).

Photo number too large

'Max. Enlarge track photos' (Competition → Defaults)

Floor character count too large

'Max. Increase track ground characters' (Competition → Defaults)

Photo+ground character count too large

'Max. Enlarge track photos+ground signs' (Competition → Defaults)

Map distances differ

Internal data error
Execute 'Recalculate legs

Coordinate turning loops deviating

Internal data error
Execute 'Recalculate legs

From this route with circle centers, a route with semi-circle gates must be created for use

Open "Route settings"
Activate the option "Export semi-circle gates from circle centers"
Execute "GPX export (with semi-circle gates)"
Execute "Import FC route" with the exported GPX file

OSM contest map

Print options
Maps menu
Server configuration
Data sources

With 'Routes → Route → OSM Contest Map' a topographic PDF competition map in scale 1:200000 or 1:250000 can be generated with the help of a print server.

Maps can be created either as an Online/PDF map or as a Task Creator map.

The Online/PDF map is generated using the Web Mercator projection, which causes vertical distortions. This has significant deviations for large maps (> A3) if you want to continue using them in other geo tools.

The Task Creator map is generated with a LatLon projection so that all graphic symbols are vertically enlarged in northern latitudes.

Generated maps are saved in the Maps menu.

Use of the maps:
The use of the map material is at your own risk. The map material may contain errors or be insufficient. The providers of the map data and the manufacturer of this function do not assume any warranty or liability for damage caused directly or indirectly by the use of the map material.

Print options

The following route details can be drawn on the map:

  • Turning point circles (diameter 1 NM)

  • Procedure turns

  • Track lines

  • Course of curved tracks

  • Turning point names (in the choosen print language, German WP, English TP)

  • Gates of secret time checks

  • Positions of enroute photos

  • Positions of enroute canvas

The following objects can be drawn on the map:

  • Elevation lines (100m, 50m or 20m)

  • Grade grid

  • Churches, castles and ruins

  • Power lines

  • Wind power stations

  • Field paths

  • Airspaces

  • Additional map objects (circle centers as well as missing airfields, churches, castles, castle ruins, country houses, mountain peaks, towers, wind turbines, etc.)

All mentioned route details and objects can be deselected.

Airspaces

"Determine airspaces around the airport" retrieves all airspaces from OpenAIP that are necessary to serve all map sizes. All airspaces where the lower altitude limit is lower than the set altitude (default: 4000ft) are taken into account.

The airspaces determined are entered in the Airspaces text field. AREA and FIS airspaces as well as airspaces specified in the OpenAIP configuration in ignoreAirspacesStartsWith are commented out.

"KMZ Export Airspaces" generates a KMZ file in which all airspaces entered in the Airspaces text field and not commented out are shown. This KMZ can be viewed with Google Earth. The airspaces visible here are drawn on the contest map. If necessary, additional airspaces that are not required can be commented out with # in the Airspaces text field.

Any number of airspaces can be entered in the Airspaces text field of a route.

#id_65fc178d9c985c1a9d9b0664,text:AREA 2500ft-FL100,fillcolor:gray,textcolor:black
id_65fbf33c9c985c1a9d995bfb,text:CTR BUECHEL GND-4100ft
#id_65fc178c9c985c1a9d9b05f2,text:DÜSSELDORF 1000ft-2500ft,fillcolor:gray,textcolor:black
id_65fbf3379c985c1a9d99593f,text:ED-R5 BIBLIS H24 GND-2300ft,fillcolor:red,textcolor:red

Incorrect or non-existent airspace IDs prevent map generation.

Each airspace can be configured individually in its appearance. For this purpose, various attributes must be added to the ID, separated by commas.

  • Set margin text

    text:ED-R5 BIBLIS H24 GND-2300ft

  • Alternative size of the margin text

    textsize:14

    14 pixel height is written.
    Not specified: 10 pixel.

  • Alternative spacing of the margin text

    textspacing:90

    Minimum distance 90px. This value influences how often the margin text is written on the margin.
    Not specified: 1 pixel.

  • Alternative color of the border text

    textcolor:red

    Red text.
    Not specified: black

  • Alternative color of the area of the airspace

    fillcolor:red

    Area of the airspace is filled red.
    Not specified: blue

  • Alternative transparency of the area of the airspace

    fillopacity:0.3

    Area of the airspace with low coverage.
    Not specified: 0.2

Overview map print options

  • "Generate online map around airport" creates a map with T/O in the center with 420mm distance to the edge for OSM online map display.

  • "Generate Task Creator map around airport" creates a map with T/O in the center with 420mm distance to the edge for use in the Task Creator.

4 setting areas allow the following map printing options to be used parallel in one route

  • The center of the map is determined from the positions of turnpoints activated for it (default: all). This center can be moved to the edge or corners. In addition, a horizontal and/or vertical shift by an amount configurable in NM is still possible.

  • Individual turning points can be excluded from printing. This also eliminates associated tracks and procedure turns.

  • Printout can be in landscape or portrait format in A1 to A4 or ANR size.

  • The printout can be made with or without the configured route details, with all route details, or for use in the Task Creator.

Maps menu

The following operations are possible with saved maps by clicking on …​ :

  • Open Task Creator with map (if saved map was explicitly created for this purpose)
    For construction of a new route.

  • Create and download PDF contest map (if saved map was explicitly created for this purpose)

  • Download PNG contest map

  • Export contest map as zip archive

  • Rename saved map

  • Delete saved map

The following operations are available in the sub-menu:

  • Importing a contest map exported as a zip archive

  • Open Task Creator without a map
    For loading of the csv file of a route construction that has already been started.

  • Export all saved contest maps in one zip archive

In addition, saved maps from which a PDF can be generated are also available in the OSM online map of routes.

Server configuration

Generating the competition map requires a print server. For this purpose, a server operated by the DAeC can be used, whose address is to be requested and set with an installation-dependent configuration in C:\FCSave\.fc\config.groovy.:
Configure OSM contest map printing

Alternatively, a separate print server can be set up:
Flight Contest maps server

Map data is only available for installed countries.

For the use of airspaces, an OpenAIP access with an installation-dependent configuration must be set in C:\FCSave\.fc\config.groovy.:
Configure OpenAIP for airspace display and map printing

Airspaces are available worldwide.

Data sources

Map data:

  • Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) (http://www.openstreetmap.org/)

    The map objects shown are based on the data of the OpenStreetMap project.
    OpenStreetMap is a free, editable map of the entire world and allows geographic data to be viewed and edited collaboratively from anywhere in the world.

    License: http://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/en

Contour lines and surface contours:

Airfields and airspaces:

Flight-time-calculation for take-offs and landings

Specifications can be made for the following items:

  • Departure to take-off point (TO → SP)

  • Final point to landing (FP → LDG)

  • Intermediate landing (iFP → iLDG)

  • Intermediate take-off point (iFP or iLDG → iSP)

The default value of new tasks "wind+:3NM" causes that the wind of the the wind of the navigation flight task is taken into account for the time-of-flight calculation, the distance between the points for calculation is increased by 3NM (which has proven to be useful for a standard course round) and the calculated overflight time is rounded up to whole minutes.

Use the template FC-TakoffLandingCalculation-Sample.xlsx, to calculate setting values for longer approach and departure distances.

For each point mentioned, the following expressions can be used:

Expression (example) Applied formula Round up to whole minutes

wind+:3NM

LegTime(tas,wind,track,dist + 3)

yes

wind:3NM

LegTime(tas,wind,track,dist + 3)

no

nowind+:3.5NM

LegTime(tas,null,track,dist + 3.5)

yes

nowind:3.5NM

LegTime(tas,null,track,dist + 3.5)

no

wind+:1.3

1.3 * LegTime(tas,wind,track,dist)

yes

wind:1.3

1.3 * LegTime(tas,wind,track,dist)

no

nowind+:1.3

1.3 * LegTime(tas,null,track,dist)

yes

nowind:1.3

1.3 * LegTime(tas,null,track,dist)

no

time+:10min

10

yes

time:10min

10

no
expression meaning

LegTime

Internal function for wind-dependent flight time calculation

tas

TAS of the aircraft

wind

wind direction and speed (zero = no wind)

track

course of the navigation flight

dist

distance between the respective points

+

flight plan time rounded up to the nearest whole minute

wind

Individual time for each crew considering TAS,
wind, heading and distance between points.

nowind

Individual time for each crew respecting TAS,
distance and course between points, without considering wind.

time

Fixed time in minutes for all crews.

1.3

The calculated time is multiplied by the given factor (here 1.3).

3NM

The time is calculated by increasing the distance
between the points by the given value (here by 3NM).
expression application example

wind+:3NM

Airfield with standard course round (TO → SP, iLDG → iSP).

wind+:xNM

Apply a larger distance x for larger airfield circles.

wind+:6NM

Latest landing time (FP → LDG)

time+:xmin

Fixed flight time of x minutes (for precision flight competitions)

wind+:1.3

Increase calculated flight time by 30% and correct to minute.

wind:1

Calculate flight time with distance and wind without corrections

Check your settings by creating flight plans:

  • Flight time TO → SP plausible?

  • Flight time FP → LDG (to determine latest landing time) sufficient?

  • Flight time iFP → iLDG → iSP plausible for stopover?

Planning test and flight preparation

Planning test with competition map (without route construction)
Planning test with flight construction
No planning test
Planning test configuration hint

Planning test with competition map (without route construction)

  1. Task Configuration

    • Planning test duration: 60 min

    • Duration of the aircraft preparation: 15 min

  2. Planning Test Card

    • Turning points are already drawn

    • route can be drawn in

  3. Navigation test map

    • Turning points and route are drawn

  4. Work of the crew

    • Crew receives planning test chart and planning test task sheet.

      • Measure course over ground

      • Calculate heading and flight time and enter in planning test task sheet

      • Hand in planning test task sheet

    • Crew receives navigation test chart and flight plan

      • Prepare navigation test chart (turn loops, turn point overflight times, heading, minute dashes)

  5. Instructions for referees (printable)

Planning test with flight construction

  1. Task Configuration

    • Duration of the planning test: 75 min (more if necessary for complicated routes).

    • Duration of the aircraft preparation: 15 min

  2. Planning Test Card

    • Does not contain turning points

  3. Navigation test map

    • Turning points and route are drawn

  4. Work of the crew

    • Crew receives route construction instructions, planning test map and planning test task sheet.

      • Construct course on planning test chart

      • Measure course over ground

      • Calculate heading and flight time and enter in planning test task sheet.

      • Hand in the planning test task sheet

    • Crew receives navigation test chart and flight plan

      • Prepare navigation test chart (turn loops, turnpoint overflight times, heading, minute dashes)

No planning test

  1. Task Configuration

    • Planning test duration: 0 min

    • Duration of aircraft preparation: 45 min (possibly more for long routes).

  2. Navigation test map

    • Turning points and route are drawn

  3. Work of the crew

    • Crew receives navigation test chart and flight plan.

      • Prepare navigation test chart (turn loops, turnpoint overflight times, heading, minute dashes)

Planning test configuration hint

The option "Distance measurement during planning test" is only useful, if the distances between the check points have been measured with the used map and have been entered in the distance coordinates under Distance measurement (map) [mm]'.

Landings

Depending on the selected competition rules, a fixed landing scheme is used. Its penalty point calculation from a landing measurement value is stored as a formula. This formula can be adapted to use a landing scheme that differs from the selected to use a different landing scheme. The formulas can be found under 'Competition → Points' or 'Class → Points' for each landing (max. 4). Special landing errors like 'No landing', 'Abnormal landing' etc. are entered through clickable check boxes.

The following formulas are used for penalty point calculation of landings:

  • Wettbewerbsordnung Navigationsflug Deutschland - Ausgabe 2020 (all landings)

    {x -> switch(x.toUpperCase()){case '0':return 0;case 'A':return 10;case 'B':return 20;case 'C':return 30;case 'D':return 40;case 'E':return 60;case 'F':return 80;case 'G':return 100;case 'H':return 120;case 'X':return 60;case 'Y':return 120;default:return null;}}

  • Wettbewerbsordnung Navigationsflug Deutschland - Ausgabe 2017 (all landings)

    {x -> switch(x.toUpperCase()){case '0':return 0;case 'A':return 20;case 'B':return 40;case 'C':return 60;case 'D':return 80;case 'E':return 50;case 'F':return 90;default:return null;}}

  • FAI Air Rally Flying (all landings)

    {x -> switch(x.toUpperCase()){case '0':return 0;case 'A':return 10;case 'B':return 20;case 'C':return 30;case 'D':return 40;case 'E':return 60;case 'F':return 80;case 'G':return 100;case 'H':return 120;case 'X':return 60;case 'Y':return 120;default:return null;}}

  • FAI Precision Flying

    • Landing 1 and 4

      {x -> if(x.isInteger()){i=x.toInteger();if(i>0){return 5*i}else{return -(10*i)}}else{switch(x.toUpperCase()){case '0':return 0;case 'A':return 250;case 'D':return 125;case 'E':return 150;case 'F':return 175;case 'G':return 200;case 'H':return 225;default:return null;}}}

    • Landing 2 and 3

      {x -> if(x.isInteger()){i=x.toInteger();if(i>0){return 3*i}else{return -(6*i)}}else{switch(x.toUpperCase()){case '0':return 0;case 'A':return 150;case 'D':return 75;case 'E':return 90;case 'F':return 105;case 'G':return 120;case 'H':return 135;default:return null;}}}

    The order of application can be configured for a task.

  • Wettkampfreglement Präzisionsflug-Schweizermeisterschaft - Ausgabe 2017

    • Landing 1 and 4

      {x -> if(x.isInteger()){i=x.toInteger();if(i>0){return 5*i}else{return -(10*i)}}else{switch(x.toUpperCase()){case '0':return 0;case 'A':return 250;case 'D':return 125;case 'E':return 150;case 'F':return 175;case 'G':return 200;case 'H':return 225;default:return null;}}}

    • Landing 2 and 3

      {x -> if(x.isInteger()){i=x.toInteger();if(i>0){return 3*i}else{return -(6*i)}}else{switch(x.toUpperCase()){case '0':return 0;case 'A':return 150;case 'D':return 75;case 'E':return 90;case 'F':return 105;case 'G':return 120;case 'H':return 135;default:return null;}}}

    The order of application can be configured for a task.

  • Präzisionsflug-Reglement Österreich - Landefeld Typ 1 - Ausgabe 2023 (all landings).

    {x -> switch(x.toUpperCase()){case '0':return 0;case 'C':return 60;case 'A':return 20;case 'I':return 10;case 'II':return 30;case 'III':return 50;default:return null;}}

  • Präzisionsflug-Reglement Österreich - Landefeld Typ 2 - Ausgabe 2023 (all landings).

    {x -> if(x.isInteger()){i=x.toInteger();if(i>0){return 2*i}else{return -(4*i)}}else{switch(x.toUpperCase()){case '0':return 0;case 'C':return 60;case 'B':return 40;case 'A':return 20;case 'I':return 10;case 'II':return 20;case 'III':return 30;case 'IV':return 40;case 'V':return 50;case 'VI':return 60;default:return null;}}}

  • Präzisionsflug-Reglement Österreich - Landefeld Typ 3 - Ausgabe 2023 (all landings).

    {x -> if(x.isInteger()){i=x.toInteger();if(i>0){return 2*i}else{return -(3*i)}}else{return null;}}

  • Navigationsflug-Reglement Österreich - Ausgabe 2023 (all landings)

    {x -> switch(x.toUpperCase()){case '0':return 0;case 'A':return 10;case 'B':return 20;case 'C':return 30;case 'D':return 40;case 'E':return 60;case 'F':return 80;case 'G':return 100;case 'H':return 120;case 'X':return 60;case 'Y':return 120;default:return null;}}

To record the landings, print the referee schedule of a task with the following fields:

  • No. (start number)

  • Aircraft (registration number)

  • Aircraft type

  • Color (if recorded)

  • Latest landing time

  • Blank column 1…​4 (for recording landing fields and landing errors)

Do not print the crew, as this is against the rules.

Landing judges should know as little as possible about the specific crew of an aircraft in order to objectively judge a landing.

Evaluations

Contest evaluation
Class evaluation
Team evaluation
Special evaluations

Contest evaluation

→ evaluation → contest-evaluation

Contest evaluations can be filtered by the following criteria:

  • Classes

  • Teams

  • Tasks

  • Tasks details

A crew is included in a competition evaluation if it is

  • belongs to a chosen class and

  • belongs to a chosen team and

  • has not been deactivated for a chosen task and

  • has not been deactivated for a contest evaluation and

  • has not been deactivated in general.

Task and task details (Planning test, Navigation test, Observation test, landing test, other test) determine for which penalty points are calculated in the evaluation. are calculated.

Class evaluation

→ evaluation → class-title

Class evaluations can be filtered by the following criteria:

  • Teams

  • Tasks

  • Tasks details

A crew is included in a class evaluation if it is

  • belongs to the chosen class and

  • belongs to a chosen team and

  • has not been deactivated for a chosen task and

  • has not been deactivated for a competition evaluation and

  • has not been deactivated in general.

Task and task details (Planning test, Navigation test, Observation test, landing test, other test) determine for which penalty points are calculated in the evaluation. are calculated.

Team evaluation

→ evaluation → team-evaluation

Team evaluations can be filtered by the following criteria:

  • Classes

  • Tasks

  • Tasks details

A crew is included in a team evaluation if it is

  • belongs to a selected class and

  • has not been deactivated for a selected task and

  • has not been deactivated for a team evaluation and

  • has not been deactivated in general.

A team receives a placement when it has

  • the set number of crews for the team evaluation has been reached and

  • the team has not been deactivated.

Task and task details (Planning test, Navigation test, Observation test, landing test, other test) determine for which penalty points are calculated in the evaluation. are calculated.

Special evaluations

If class and team assignments are not sufficient to restrict competition evaluation, the crew option "No competition evaluation" can be used to exclude all crews that do not apply. crews can be excluded.

Read logger

Supported loggers: 'Renkforce GT-730FL-S', 'GlobalSat DG-100', 'GlobalSat DG-200'.

Prerequisite: Installation of GPSBabel 1.8.0 or higher

Procedure steps:

  1. Open 'Results → Task → Read logger' → opens tab 'Read logger'

  2. Connect logger with a USB port

  3. Switch on the logger

  4. Click 'Refresh' → a new COM port appears

  5. Select newly appeared COM port

  6. Click 'Import' → After reading, the 'Import logger data' tab is opened

  7. Select crew

  8. Click 'Import' → after the import 'Navigation flight results' is opened

  9. After checking the navigation flight results, close them with 'Result ready' and close tab

  10. Switch off logger and disconnect from USB port

  11. Continue with step 2 in 'Read logger' tab

Alternatively, the loggers can also be read out via the following scripts:

  • Startmenü → Flight Contest → Read logger SkyTraq logger Renkforce GT-730FL-S

  • Startmenü → Flight Contest → Read logger GlobalSat DG-100

  • Startmenü → Flight Contest → Read logger GlobalSat DG-200

Supported loggers

Renkforce GT-730FL-S
AFLOS
AirObserver based loggers
DG-100
DG-200
PowerFLARM
Any other IGC logger
Any other GPX logger
Any other KML logger
Any other NMEA logger

Renkforce GT-730FL-S

  • Read logger: built-in (Read logger)

  • Delete logger recording: 'FFA SkyTraq V6 → Tools → Clear memory'

AFLOS

  • Logger readout software: 'AFLOS Reader 2.04'.

  • Read logger record and generate GAC file: 'AFLOS Reader → Competitor-No → Read AFLOS'.

  • Logger data import: 'Flight Contest → Results → Task Title → Navigation Flight → …​ → Import Logger Data → Select GAC File → Import'

  • Delete logger recording: directly at the AFLOS logger.

AirObserver based loggers

  • Logger readout software: 'AirObserver 2.5.1'.

  • Logger setup: 'AirObserver → Logger → Configure'.

  • Logger readout: 'AirObserver → Logger → Download' (readout very slow)

  • Open logger record (*.G00): 'AirObserver → File → Load Flight Log'.

  • Create GAC file: 'AirObserver → File → Export → GAC'.

  • Import logger data: 'Flight Contest → Results → Task Title → Navigation Flight → …​ → Import Logger Data → Select GAC File → Import'.

  • Clear logger recording: 'AirObserver → Logger → Clear'.

DG-100

  • Read logger: built-in (Read logger)

  • Logger settings software: 'Data Logger Utility S-OPC-0L-110631'.

  • Logger setting: 'Data Logger Utility → Settings → Configuration'.

  • Alternative logger readout software: 'FSNavigator.net 2.0.0.90'.

  • Logger readout: 'FSNavigator.net → Plugins → FRPocket device → Download tracks'.

  • Create GAC file: 'FSNavigator.net → Logger object → Save'.

  • Import logger data: results → task title → navigation flight → …​ → Import Logger Data → Select GAC File → Import

  • Clear logger record: 'FSNavigator.net → Plugins → FRPocket device → Clear memory'.

DG-200

  • Read logger: built-in (Read logger)

  • Alternative logger readout software: 'DG200Tool.exe DG-200 S-OPC-15-1401211'.

  • Logger setting: 'DG200Tool.exe → Device → Device settings'.

    • Select data logging format: "Position,Time,Date,Speed,Altitude".

    • Enable WAAS

    • Enable "Disable data logging if speed falls below a threshold" and set "30" km/hour

    • Disable data logging if distance is less than the selected radius" (default)

    • Data logging interval mode: enable "By time" (default) and set "1" seconds

  • Read logger record: 'DG200Tool.exe → Device → Download all track points'.

  • create GPX file: 'DG200Tool.exe → File → Save' and select "*.gpx

  • Logger data import: Results → Task title → Navigation flight → …​ → Import logger data → select GPX file → Import

  • Delete logger recording: 'DG200Tool.exe → Device → Delete all track points'.

PowerFLARM

  • A use in competition has to be clarified with the competition manager.

  • A logger recording can be written as IGC file to a micro SD card.

  • Logger data import: 'Flight Contest → Results → Task title → Navigation flight. → …​ → Import Logger Data → Select IGC File → Import'.

Any other IGC logger

  • A use in the competition is to be clarified with the competition leader.

  • The readout program is to be made available to the scoring manager.

Any other GPX logger

  • A use in the competition is to be clarified with the competition leader.

  • The readout program is to be made available to the scoring manager.

  • Necessary logger settings:

    • Recording interval: 1 second

    • Recording with altitude information

  • GPX file content requirements

    • must contain only one track recording (<trk>…​</trk>)

    • if no, delete unwanted track records in file

Any other KML logger

  • A use in the competition is to be clarified with the competition leader.

  • The readout program is to be made available to the scoring manager.

  • Necessary logger settings:

    • Recording interval: 1 second

    • Recording with altitude data

    • Recording with time information

  • Requirements for KML/KMZ file content

    • must contain only one track recording (<gx:Track>…​</gx:Track>)

    • if no, delete unwanted track records in file

Any other NMEA logger

  • The logger must support the standard 'NMEA 0183'.

  • A use in competition has to be clarified with the competition manager.

  • The readout program must be made available to the scoring manager.

Allows you to influence the appearance of the print
→ Contest → Settings → Print-Style

CSS settings for title
CSS settings for signature
CSS settings for tables
Examples
Replaced CSS properties

h1#branding{font-size:1.0em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;}

font-size: Set the size of the 1st title. Only usable if the title size is empty and no graphics are used.
margin-top,margin-bottom,padding-top,padding-bottom: set spacing of the 1st title to top and bottom.

h2 { font-size:1.0em; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; padding-bottom:0px; }

font-size: set size of 2nd title
margin-top,margin-bottom,padding-top,padding-bottom: set spacing of the 2nd title to top and bottom.

h3 { font-size:1.0em; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; padding-bottom:0px; }

font-size: set size of 3rd title
margin-top,margin-bottom,padding-top,padding-bottom: set spacing of the 3rd title to top and bottom.

h2#signature { margin-top:100px; }

margin-top: Increase distance to table or signature image

Application:

table.TableName tr.RowName td.ColumnName { property1; property2; ... }
table.table_name tr.row_name td { property1; property2; ... }
table.TableName tr#ID td { property1; property2; ... }
td.ColumnName { property1; property2; ... }
.columnname { property1; property2; ... }
property CSS expression

No wrap for spaces

white-space: nowrap;

column-width

width: 10%;

bold print

font-weight: bold;

italic-print

font-style: italic;

color

color: red;

Small text size

font-size: 80%;

justify text centered

text-align: center;

text distance to frame top

padding-top:2cm;

CSS expressions: http://www.w3schools.com/cssref
Default values: http://localhost:8080/fc/css/fcprint.css

Table classes:

table names [scope] row names [#ID] column names

generalpoints

title value

name value modify

planningpoints

title value

name value modify

flightpoints

title value

name value modify

observationpoints

title group value

name value modify

landingpoints

title value penaltycalculator

name value modify

turnpointsignpoints

title value

name value

enroutecanvaspoints

title value

name value

routecoords

title value

tpname aflosname coords altitude gatewidth sign

routelegs

name value coursechange summary

from2tp trackdistance

enroutephotos

name title value

photoname coords distfromtp tpname

enroutecanvas

name title value

canvassign coords distfromtp tpname

mapdistances

title title2 value

tpname coorddist measuredist difference

routecoordexport

title value

turnpointsignexport

title value

enroutephotoexport

title value

enroutecanvasexport

title value

routecoordgeodata

title value

routetpcoords

title value

tpname coords

crewlist

value [#num]

num crew email team resultclass shortresultclass aircraft aircrafttype aircraftcolor tas id empty1 empty2 empty3 empty4

teamlist

value [#crew.num]

team crew aircraft tas

resultclasslist

value [#crew.num]

resultclass shortresultclass crew aircraft tas

aircraftlist

value [#aircraft]

aircraft aircrafttype aircraftcolor crew1 crew2

timetablelist

value [#crew.num]

num crew aircraft tas team resultclass shortresultclass planningtime planningtimebefore takeofftime version

legtimelist

value [#tas]

tas legtime

timetablejudgelist

value [#crew.num]

num crew aircraft aircrafttype aircraftcolor tas team resultclass shortresultclass planningtime planningtimebefore planningendtime takeofftime sptime tptime fptime landingtime arrivaltime submissiontime empty1 empty2 empty3 empty4

timetableoverviewlist

briefing planning takeoff takeoffinterval intermediatelanding landing, legtimes [#tas]

col1 col2 col3

timetableoverviewlist2

head, times [#tas]

tas to2sp ifp2ildg ildg2isp fp2ldg

landingstartlistlist

value [#crew.num]

group num crew aircraft aircrafttype aircraftcolor tas team resultclass shortresultclass empty1 empty2 empty3 empty4

crewtest

title crew team resultclass aircraft aircrafttype tas

crewneutral

title num crew aircraft col

info

wind planning submission endcurved landinglatest planninginfo planningignore planningevaluation

title separator value

planningtasklist

valuename unit value [#tpname]

tpname distance truetrack trueheading groundspeed legtime

flightplanlist

value [#tpname], procedureturn summary

num distance truetrack trueheading groundspeed legtime tpname tptime

observationturnpointlist

title subtitle data

tpname turnpointphoto turnpointcanvas turnpointtrue turnpointfalse

observationsroutephotolist

title subtitle data

name correct inexact false nmfromtp mmfromtp fromlasttp

observationsroutecanvaslist

title subtitle data

sign correct inexact false nmfromtp mmfromtp fromlasttp

observationsroutecrewjudgesign

title

name line

planningtaskresultlist

name1 name2 value [#tpname] summary

tpname plantrueheading trueheading penaltytrueheading planlegtime legtime penaltylegtime

summary [planningtaskresults]

legpenalties giventolate exitroomtolate otherpenalties penalties

flightresultlist

name1 name2 value [#tpname] summary

tpname aflosname plancptime cptime penaltycp penaltyprocedureturn penaltybadcourse penaltyaltitudemissed

summary [flightresults]

checkpointpenalties takeoffmissed landingtolate badcoursestartlanding giventolate safetyandrulesinfringement instructionsnotfollowed falseenvelopeopened safetyenvelopeopened frequencynotmonitored otherpenalties penalties

flightmeasurementlist

name1 name2 value [#tpname]

tpname aflosname plancptime cptime procedureturn badcoursenum altitude

loggerdatalist

title value tpvalue

time latitude longitude altitude distance truetrack groundspeed info badcourseinfo nobadcourseinfo

observationturnpointresultlist

name1 name2 value [#tpname] summary

tpname evaluation plan result penalties

observationsroutephotoresultlist

name1 name2 value [#photoName] summary

photoname evaluation plan result penalties

observationsroutecanvasresultlist

name1 name2 value [#imageName] summary

imagename evaluation plan result penalties

summary [observationresults]

turnpointphotopenalties routephotopenalties groundtargetpenalties otherpenalties penalties

landingresultlist

name [#1…​4], values [#1…​4], summary [#1…​4]

summary [landingresults]

otherpenalties penalties

summary [specialresults]

penalties

crewresultsummary

planningpenalties flightpenalties observationpenalties landingpenalties specialpenalties increasepenalties penalties

resultlist

[#pos]

pos crew aircraft team resultclass shortresultclass planningpenalties flightpenalties observationpenalties landingpenalties specialpenalties taskpenalties contestpenalties

teamresultlist

[#pos]

pos team crews teampenalties

resultfooter

[#line<line>]

[#col<column>]

freetext

#line

testlist

testcol1 testcol2 testcol3 testcol4 testcol5

  • Crew list - reduce lines

    table.crewlist tr.value td { font-size: 90%; }

  • Crew schedule - reduce lines

    table.timetablelist tr.value td { font-size: 90%; }

  • Referee schedule - reduce lines

    table.timetablejudgelist tr.value td { font-size: 90%; }

  • Scanned observation forms - resize

    img.scannedobservationtest { width:80%; }

  • Scanned Planning Task Forms - Resize

    img.scannedplanningtest { width:80%; }

  • Occupation result - reduce lines

    table.crewresultsummary td { font-size: 70%; }
table.planningtaskresultlist tr.value td { font-size: 70%; }
table.flightresultlist tr.value td { font-size: 70%; }
table.observationturnpointresultlist tr.value td { font-size: 70%; }
table.observationsroutephotoresultlist tr.value td { font-size: 70%; }
table.observationsroutecanvasresultlist tr.value td { font-size: 70%; }
table.summary tr { font-size: 70%; }
table.landingresultlist tr.name { font-size: 70%; }
table.landingresultlist tr.values { font-size: 70%; }
table.landingresultlist tr.summary { font-size: 70%; }

  • Result list competition and class evaluation - reduce rows

    table.resultlist td { font-size: 90%; }

  • Result list team evaluation - reduce lines

    table.teamresultlist td { font-size: 90%; }

  • Footer in result list - enlarge rows

    table.resultfooter tr td { font-size: 120%; }

  • Points pressure landing field - change size

    img.landingfield { width:200%; }
property value effect now found in

--route
--disable-procedureturn

route-1

Disable turning loops for this route

→routes → <route-name> → route-settings → use turning loops

--route
--show-curved-points

route-1

in route displays of this route show SCs of the curved route

→routes → <route-name> → route-settings → show SCs of curved route in route-maps of this route

--class
--secret-gatewidth

--class
2

--use a different gate width for SCs in time evaluation for crews of this class (gate width in NM)

--class → <class-name> → different gate-width from SC coordinates for this class

--class
--before-starttime

--class
30

--class → move forward the start time of planning in the schedule for crews of this class (the numeric value defines the minutes before the regular planning time)

--class → <class-name> → advance the planning start time before the regular planning time for this class

--class
--add-submission

--beginner
10

--class → extend the latest submission time of the solution sheet in the flight plan for crews of this class (the number value defines the minutes after the regular submission time)

→ classes → <class-name> → extend the latest solution sheet submission time for this class

--flightplan

hide-distance

hide-truetrack

hide-trueheading

hide-groundspeed

disable-local-time

show-elapsed-time

Leave column "Distance" empty in flight plan

In the flight plan, leave the "Right course" column empty.

in the flight plan, leave the column "Right heading" empty

Leave column "Speed over ground" empty in flight plan

omit "local time" column in flight plan

in flight plan print time history in column "flight time

→ tasks → navigation test → <navigation test name> → edit

--submission

20

--display in the flight plan the latest submission time of the solution sheet
(the value defines the minutes after the FP)

→ tasks → navigation test → <navigation test name> → edit → latest submission time of solution sheet after reaching FP

--route
--start-tp
--add-num

route-1
TP3 [,TP5]
1 [,2]

in the flight plan for crews, increase the turnpoint number by the specified value from the specified turnpoint (several increases possible; for abbreviated routes, where the competition map of another route is used)

→ Tasks → Navigation test → <Navigation test name> → Edit → Increase turnpoint numbers by the specified value from the specified turnpoint in the flight plan for crews
TP3,TP5:1,2 = increase from TP3 by 1, from TP5 by another 2

--flightresults

show-curved-points

show curved points in navigation flight results

→ Tasks → Navigation test → <navigation test name> → Edit → Always show SCs of the curved route in the navigation flight result

--landingresults

0.5

--reduce landing penalty points in overall ranking by specified factor

→ Evaluation → Competition Evaluation → Competition Evaluation Settings → Reduce landing penalty points by specified factor

Contest properties

None defined yet.

Installation dependent configuration

Allows customization of the deployment environment of the 'Flight Contest' installation
→ Tools → Settings → Configuration

Changes only effective after restarting 'Flight Contest'.

If 'Flight Contest' does not start anymore after changes, the last change in 'C:\FCSave\.fc\config.groovy' has to be undone or delete this file.

Configure email sending
Configure email viewer
Configure FTP dispatch
Configure information for landing referees.
Configure live display
Configure live tracking
Configure OSM online map
Configure OSM contest map printing
Configure OpenAIP for airspace display and map printing
Configure original Task Creator for use
Configure test displays

Configure email sending

grails {
  mail {
    host = "TODO"     // SMTP server address (DNS name or IP address)
    port = 587        // SMTP server port (for client connections)
    username = "TODO" // SMTP server login name
    password = "TODO" // SMTP server password
  }
}
flightcontest {
  mail {
    from = "TODO"     // sender email address (must be valid on SMTP server)
    cc = "TODO"       // e-mail address of the evaluating referee
  }
  testmail {
    to = "TODO"       // destination email address
    subject = "Flight Contest: test email" }
    body = "Flight Contest has successfully sent an email."
  }
}

Configure email viewer

grails {
  webmail {
    url = "TODO"                // address of the webmail service
    loginname_name = "TODO"     // name of the username field
    loginpassword_name = "TODO" // name of the password field
    username = "TODO"           // Login name
    password = "TODO"           // Password
  }
}

Configure FTP dispatch

flightcontest {
  ftp {
    host = "results.flightcontest.de" // FTP server address
    port = 21                         // FTP server port
    username = "TODO"                 // FTP login name
    password = "TODO"                 // FTP password
    contesturl = "TODO"               // Public access to contest directory on FTP server
                                      // (e.g. "http://results.flightcontest.de/demo")
    testsourceurl = "http://localhost:8080/fc/licenses/README.txt" // Source URL
  }
}

2 directories must exist in the root directory of the FTP server:

  • GM_Utils-6.13 - GPX viewer JavaScript library

  • Any name without spaces or special characters - contest directory (above example: "demo")

The mentioned version of the GPX view can be taken from the following directory:

C:\Program Files\Flight Contest\tomcat\webapps\fc\GM_Utils

In the root directory of the FTP server, GPX files must have their own MIME type must be configured for GPX files. Furthermore, browser compression should be enabled for this MIME type. browser compression should be activated (https://betterexplained.com/articles/how-to-optimize-your-site-with-gzip-compression). To do this, add the following lines to the '.htaccess' file:

AddType application/gpx .gpx
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/gpx

The FTP login name must be granted write permissions to the contest directory, but not to the root directory of the FTP server.

Configure information for landing referees.

flightcontest {
  landing {
    info = "Send WhatsApp to +49(170)12345678."
  }
}

This information will be printed on the State Referee Schedule.

Configure live display

flightcontest {
  live {
    ftpupload {            // FTP upload of the live result
       workingdir = "/"    // directory on the FTP server
       name = "fclive.htm" // file name
    }
    copy {                 // copy of the live result
       dest = "TODO"       // directory and filename
                           // e.g. "C:/Live/fclive.htm" (local copy)
                           // "//Server/Share/fclive.htm" (share copy)
                           // Multiple copies allowed
                           // (dest1 = ...)
                           // (dest2 = ...)
    }
  }
}

The FTP upload requires a configured FTP send.

Local and share copies cannot be opened directly in Firefox.

  • Follow these steps to open a local copy:

    1. Open link in new tab → C:/Live/fclive.htm

    2. In the address bar, prefix the link with "file:///". → file:///C:/Live/fclive.htm

  • Follow these steps to open a share copy:

    1. Open link in new tab → Server/Share/fclive.htm

    2. In the address bar, prefix the link with "file://///". → file://///Server/Share/fclive.htm

In case of configured copies and/or FTP upload, a live result is also always is copied to the own server instance.
To achieve this without copies or FTP upload, use the following configuration:

flightcontest {
  live {
    show = true
  }
}

Configure live tracking

flightcontest {
  livetracking {
    server = "https://airsports.no" // Address of the live tracking server
    api = "/api/v1"
    token = "TODO"                  // Token used to enable access to the live tracking server
    // showids = true               // Default: false
    contest {
      // showDelete = true          // Enable deletion of live tracking contests
                                    // Default: false
      startLocalTimeOfDay = "08:00" // Local start time of live tracking contest on contest day
                                    // Default: 06:00
      endLocalTimeOfDay = "20:00"   // Local end time of the live tracking contest
                                    // on the contest day
                                    // Default: 22:00
      timeZone = "Europe/Berlin"    // Time zone of the live tracking contest
                                    // for historical contests without time zone
                                    // Default: Europe/Oslo
    }
    navigationtask {
      // showDelete = true          // Enable deletion of live tracking navigation tasks
                                    // Default: false
    }
    contestant {
      minutesBetweenTrackerStartAndTakeoff = 10
                                    // Tracker recording starts specified minutes before takeoff
                                    // Default: 5
    }
  }
}

Configure OSM online map

flightcontest {
  maps {
    tiles_server = "TODO" // Address of an alternative OSM tiles server
    tiles_xyz = true      // Uses XYZ tiles (OSM Slippy Map standard) instead of TMS
  }
}

Enables switching of the OSM online map layer 'Flight Contest' to an alternative tiles server (instead of https://tiles.flightcontest.de).

Configure OSM contest map printing

flightcontest {
  contestmap {
    printserverapi = "TODO" // Address of the print server for OSM contest map generation
  }
}

Configure OpenAIP for airspace display and map printing

flightcontest {
  openaip {
    server = "https://api.core.openaip.net" // Adress of OpenAIP server
    api = "/api"
    token = "TODO"                          // API Key
                                            // to enable access to the OpenAIP server
                                            // Registration at https://www.openaip.net
    ignoreAirspacesStartsWith = ""          // Airspaces to ignore
                                            // (separate several with a comma)
  }
}

Configure original Task Creator for use

flightcontest {
  taskcreator {
    url = "https://www.airrats.cl/taskcreator?admin"  // use original Task Creator
    // jsextern = true                                // use original code for integrated Task Creator
  }
}

Flight Contest is delivered with an integrated Task Creator. Specifying this value deactivates the internal Task Creator and switches to the original Task Creator. The integrated task creator has a different appearance and has online functions deactivated, which prevents a task from being saved in a publicly accessible database.

Configure test displays

flightcontest {
  wrlog {
    enable = true // Enable writing logs to <installation directory>\fc\logs
  }
  clouddemo {
    enable = true // Enables the cloud demo display
  }
  observation {
    nobuttons = true // Disables buttons on observation result input
  }
  contestmap {
    devoptions = true       // Show additional devoptions in the OSM contest map dialog
  }
}

Live result display

Allows display of a preliminary result during debriefing.

  • First, make adjustments to the deployment environment:
    → Configure live display

  • Contest settings:
    → Evaluation → Contest evaluation → Contest evaluation settings.

    The same filter criteria are used as for the competition evaluation.
    Live-specific settings:

    • Live result refresh - 10 seconds (default)
      Interval at which the live results file refreshes itself in the browser.

    • Live score competition sum
      If enabled, the sum of penalty points of all tasks will be output as well.
      Only useful if there are several tasks (= competition days).

    • Live result placement calculation
      Selection which task determines the live result placement. Competition sum can also be selected here.

    Settings made can be checked with the integrated live display.
    → Evaluation → Competition evaluation → Live result display

  • Live display in the current competition
    → Extras → Live settings

    • Preparation

      • Upload time: 60 seconds (default)
        Interval with which the live result file is created and uploaded. After change press 'Save

      • Language: German (default)
        Press 'Save' after change

      • Upload live stylesheet
        To be executed once when new upload targets have been configured.

      • Delete live result
        To be executed once when new upload targets have been configured. Can also be executed to delete the content of an uploaded live result live result file.

      • Public links
        Here the uploaded live result files can be checked.

    • Live update

      • Live result display for contest
        Select competition for which a live result display is to be made. Press 'Save' to activate

      • Switch on live result display
        Switch on live result display for the active contest.

      • Switch off live result display
        Switch off live results display. The last state of the live result file is frozen.

Live tracking

Allows tracking of crew positions during their navigation flight with automatic time evaluation.

  • First, make adjustments to the deployment environment:
    → Configure live tracking

  • Full Live Tracking management by Flight Contest

    • Create contest (with crews and routes)
      → Contest → New Contest
      → Routes → Import route
      → Crews → Import Excel crew list

    • Create live tracking contest
      → Contest → Settings → Live tracking → Create contest
      → Contest → Settings → Live tracking → Set Public

    • Create live tracking teams
      → Crews → Select all
      → Crews → Create and connect live tracking teams for selected crews

    • Create task with navigation test (generates flight plans)
      → Tasks → New task
      → Tasks → <Task name> → Add Navigation Test
      → Planning → <Task name> → Select all
      → Planning → <Task name> → Assign wind
      → Planning → <Task name> → Calculate timetable

    • Create live tracking navigation task
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Create navigation task
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Set Public

    • Configuring the 'Results Service' for additional tests
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Create planning test (if exists)
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Create observation test (if exists)
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Create landing test (if exists)
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Create other test (if exists)
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Enable "Submit test results immediately"
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Save
      With these settings each with 'Result ready' approved test result will be submitted immediately.

    • Enter test results
      → Results

    • Publish final navigation test results to the 'Results Service'
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Enable "Submit navigation test results"
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Save
      → Results → <Task name> → Update live tracking results

  • Team Management by Live Tracking

    • Live Tracking: Create teams, with very detailed information (first name, last name of pilot and navigator, aeroplane, club, …​)
      → Contest management → New contest
      → Contest management → <Contest name> → Team list → Add team

    • Flight Contest: Connect with a live tracking contest
      → Contest → Settings → Live tracking → Connect contest

    • Flight Contest: Live tracking teams take over
      → Crews → Import live tracking teams

  • Load historical contests

    • Copy database of the historical contest
      → Stop Flight Contest (Flight Contest Manager → Right mouse button → Service commands → Stop Flight Contest)
      → Copy 'HistoricalContest.fcdb.h2.db' to 'C:\Program Files\Flight Contest\fc\fcdb.h2.db'
      → Start Flight Contest (Flight Contest Manager → Right mouse button → Service commands → Start Flight Contest)

    • Open Flight Contest
      → http://localhost:8080/fc → <Contest name>

    • Create live tracking contest
      → Contest → Settings → Live tracking → Create contest

    • Set emails of crews you want to show
      → Crews → <Name> → Email

    • Create live tracking teams
      → Crews → Select all
      → Crews → Create and connect live tracking teams for selected crews

    • Create navigation task
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Create navigation task

    • Add tracks
      → Tasks → <Task name> (Live tracking settings) → Add navigation tracks

Automatic actions

Execute actions automatically in the open Firefox browser.

Auto load logger data
Auto load observation forms
Auto load planning task forms

Auto load logger data

Switch on/off: Flight Contest Manager → Evaluation commands → Auto load logger data

Automatic loading of read-in logger data.

Necessary logger software settings:

  • Save GAC, IGC, GPX, KML, KMZ or NMEA files to the "C:\FCSave\.logger" directory.

Necessary preparation:

  • Firefox must be running

  • 'Competition → Results' with the current task must be active

Auto load observation forms

Switch on/off: Flight Contest Manager → Evaluation commands → Auto load observation forms

Automatically load scanned observation test forms.

Necessary scanner settings:

  • Save JPG files to the directory "C:\FCSave\.scan

Necessary preparation:

  • Firefox must be running

  • 'Competition → Results' with the current task must be active

Auto load planning task forms

Switch on/off: Flight Contest Manager → Evaluation commands → Auto load planning task forms

Automatically load scanned planning test forms.

Necessary scanner settings:

  • Save JPG files to the directory "C:\FCSave\.scan

Necessary preparation:

  • Firefox must be running

  • 'Competition → Results' with the current task must be active

Data backup of a running competition

During an ongoing contest, you should save the following data:

  • Flight Contest database

  • 'Flight Contest' printouts

Backups are made to the directory 'C:\FCSave', which is created by the 'Flight Contest' installation.

Data backups are primarily used as protection against failure or loss of the Windows computer on which the contest is evaluated. Therefore copy the backup directory 'C:\FCSave' after the end of the competition day or after reaching a particularly important time of your contest to an external storage medium, after you have made backups as described below.

Backup of the 'Flight Contest' database
Save 'Flight Contest' prints (Firefox)
Backup of the data stored in C:\FCSave
Data recovery of the 'Flight Contest' database

Backup of the 'Flight Contest' database

Call 'Flight Contest Manager → Right mouse button → Service commands → Save database'

The database will be saved with date and time saved to the backup directory C:\FCSave (<date>-<time>-fcdb.h2.db).

Save 'Flight Contest' prints (Firefox)

All PDF prints are secured by the following Firefox settings:

Files and applications -> Downloads -> Save all files to the following folder: C:\FCSave
Files and applications -> Applications -> Portable document format (PDF): Save file

These settings ensure that all printouts are saved in the backup directory C:\FCSave. Opening the PDF and printing is then done via the download manager.

If this setting is not possible or desired, prints will end up in the Windows-Temp-Directory. Note, however, that Firefox deletes all downloads from the Windows temp directory when it is closed, so there is a risk of losing prints.

Backup of the data stored in C:\FCSave

To do this, use a copy of the script 'C:\Program Files\Flight Contest\scripts\save_fcsave.bat', where you set the variable dest_dir to a folder on an external storage medium.

Data recovery of the 'Flight Contest' database

  1. Stop Flight Contest (Flight Contest Manager → Right mouse button → Service commands → Stop Flight Contest)

  2. Copy 'C:\FCSave\<date>-<time>-fcdb.h2.db' to 'C:\Program Files\Flight Contest\fc\fcdb.h2.db'. You need administrator privileges for this.