A primary concern for serious glider owners is the performance of their aircraft. They take pains to make them as aerodynamically efficient as possible. But, most never consider that they can measure the performance of their gliders themselves. Flight data recorders, that are commonplace today, may be used to reduce the work load so that most pilots can take good measurements.

This CD provides the knowhow and the computing facility for the job. It contains a manual that explains the sink-rate measurement method and a spreadsheet for reducing the data and plotting the results. The manual may be downloaded free by clicking the image at the bottom of this page.

Included:

• MeasuringGliderPerformance.pdf - The manual
• Performance.xls - Excel spreadsheet
• InstallAeroExplorer-1.10.exe - Installs Cambridge Aero Explorer (Windows)

You provide:

• A flight data recorder - You probably already have one.
• Excel, or compatible, spreadsheet software - You probably have this too.
• An IGC compatible software program - Cambridge Aero Explorer is on the CD.
• A thermometer with tethered probe - A cheap indoor/outdoor digital thermometer will do.

For more informatioin, read the manual below: