I noticed that in the latest release of Skydemon Powerflarm is integrated. How does this work? I searched the forum but could not find a thread about the latest feature.

Any Flarm-compatible device will do, but you'll want PowerFlarm to receive ADS/B traffic as well as Flarm traffic. You also need the Butterfly Connect unit, which acts as the bridge between your Flarm unit and an iPad/Android/PC.

Would it be possible in the future just to download ADS/B traffic data (from some e g server of yours (?) via IPad´s 3G) and just recieve traffic information what is happening around you?

Like an "ADS/B traffic Light" whitout any extra equipment and not sending your own data (just watching).

It's all but impossible to get reliable data service above about 1500 feet

I'm very interested in setting this up.

Having reviewed the PowerFlarm website there are numerous 'boxes' for sale, so a quick question for me is:

"In a light single (Commander 114), what is the most cost effective option for me to get a PowerFlarm box talking to Skydemon:

1. Model of PowerFlarm Box

2 What is a 'Butterfly Connector'??

Hugh

Regards



Hugh

G-OIBM

Commander 114

Hi,

most suitable is a "PowerFlarm core" Box (similar box also available from Garrecht avionics). Further more there is a portable solution but you have to find a place for this in/on your panel.

This device then could be connected to your transponder (if capable) to have ADS-B out. STCs are available for most "light" aircrafts. Further more you could use capabilities of your own avionics (e.g. GNS 430, etc.) to display traffic on this device, depending on local regulations in GB. I am from Germany and there it is possible to push that data to a GNS 430 (for example) as long as the aircraft is VFR regulated. Otherwise it depends on technical examiner whether he regards the "displaying" device as important for saftey inflight/landing procedures.

The butterfly connect simply transports serial data to Wifi. It enables you to connect your tablet to the powerflarm (as well as to other devices with serial output) and makes skydemon access the relavant traffic data. Without butterly connect you can only use traffic information on fix mounted display (as your avionic which is already in place or a seperate display from butterfly).

Cheers,
Oliver

Hi Tim,

Do you have any screenshot on how traffic is integrated in Skydemon. Before buying the butterfly connect unit I am highly interested in the visualization. Unfortunately there isn't any hint on this one in the documenation...

Cheers,
Oliver

Oliver

Many thanks for the advice, its much clearer now.

I have a GTX330 (S) transponder plus a GNS 430, so if I fit the PowerFlarm unit I can probably link it both to my GNS 430 (hardwire) and to my SkyDemon (Android or IPad mini).

Thanks again.

Hugh

Regards



Hugh

G-OIBM

Commander 114

Hi Hugh,

exactly. The PowerFlarm will (from technical point of view) feed your GNS430 as well as your GTX330 (for ADS-B out). For connection to the GNS it is only a question of approval by technical staff as in German law it is not that precise and could be interpreted in different ways.
If connection to GNS is not allowed you will need to add a further display (e.g. butterfly square display) in case you need to have a backup for the skydemon device.

The connection to your iPad mini is assured by the butterfly connect.

Cheers,
Oliver

The way I understood the Powerflarm user manual, is that the unit will get data with relative altitude/ascent/descent/distance/heading from other Flarm/Powerflarm units and ADS-B. For other aircraft equipped with a transponder, Powerflarm will detect it ONLY when it is interrogated by secondary radar, and then only give relative altitude/ascent/descent/distance - NOT heading information.