User manual

XCSoar User Manual
8.5 Aircraft radio transceiver
Monitoring and setting the active and standby frequencies of air-
craft transceivers with serial connections are currently in develop-
ment. The goal is to provide the functionality whereby the radio
frequency can be set with one button press (requiring confirma-
tion by the pilot) when the aircraft flies into controlled airspace or
enters an airfield’s advisory/mandatory broadcast traffic zone.
8.6 Mobile telephones
The capability for XCSoar to send and receive position updates
and other data (such as weather/task updates) in flight via SMS
messages on the GSM mobile phone network has been demon-
strated in July 2005. This used a standard consumer mobile tele-
phone over a Bluetooth connection; the same code can be used
for similar communications via a serial connection to a GSM or
CDMA modem. This code requires further development before
being integrated into public releases of the software.
Applications of this technology include:
• Tracking of gliders from the home base for spectator dis-
plays
• Automatic broadcast of last known position when outland-
ing to home base and retrieve crews
• Team flying, and to assist lead and follow training
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