John DeRosa's
Aviation Web Page

My Aviation Subject Web Pages are Below
Soaring Related Web Links
Aviation Subject Pages are Below
(Click the blue links below for details)
IGC File Name Decoding

Maybe you have wondered about the file names of the IGC log files that are generated by your flight recorder. For example, "15KC3WK1.IGC". It looks like a strange random combination of letters and numbers, but each character does have a meaning. In the example above it means, "1st Flight on May 20th, 2011* using a Cambridge flight recorder serial number 3WK". Simple? Not so much.

So, I created a simple spreadsheet to decode these file names and as a teaching aid so that after a while you can figure the dates yourself just by looking at them. You might find this useful if you are sorting through a bunch of old log files.

*NOTE: Due to limitations of the IGC file naming standard (DOS 8.3), flights during years ending in the same digit (i.e. 1991, 2001, 2011, 2021) will be shown as the closest year within the past decade. Here are some examples;

Flight Year Current Year Indicated Year
1999 2011 2009
2009 2011 2009
2011 2011 2011

Sorry folks, no way around this with Excel short of reading the contents of the file, which you can already do. The actual date and time of the flight is shown within the text of the log file.

Please see this spreadsheetfor IGC file decoding and more details.

Free tools to view IGC files:

Cambridge Flight Recorders

The Cambridge Aero Instruments line of flight recorders are very popular with soaring pilots. Here is a web page with some additional information on the following subjects;
  • Model 302 Flight Logging Errors
  • Model 302 Tones Decoded
Please see this web page for more information

Testing Batteries

Each year I like to test my ship's batteries and replace those that do not have enough capacity for a typical competitive flight of 3+ hours. But how do you perform a good "real world" test with commonly available equipment?

See this Excel documentfor an explanation of the testing that I performed and the simple test rig that I used, along with templates for gathering the data and then graphing the results.

O'Hare Class B Airspace Expansion

8 April 2011

In mid-2008 the FAA started the process of expanding the O'Hare Class B airspace. This change was implemented on October 21, 2010. This has directly impact several soaring sites in the Chicago area, notably Sky Soaring near Hampshire, IL. More information can be found by clicking on this link

Glider Maintenance Tool Box

A list of many things that you will need in a maintenance kit for your glider and during your road trips.

My Aviation Image Gallery

A repository of aviation images. Gliders, powered airplanes, etc, etc.
My DG-101G ELAN Sailplane Page

Various pictures of my DG-101G ELAN (and a great homebuilt trailer). What a fun, safe, ship to fly!
Soaring Videos
Here are a few interesting soaring movies for your viewing pleasure. See this web page for more details.
Pilot Relief Systems

Published in Soaring magazine, April 2010, page 27

I have brought together information on my experiences with pilot relief ("pee") systems for glider and soaring pilots along with information from other resources. See this web page for more details.

Aviation Related Presentations
I have created several presentations on soaring and aviation related topics such as flight computers, recorders, ELTs and PLBs, avionics wiring, blipmaps and more. See this web page for more details.
Soaring Landout Survival Kit

Published in Soaring magazine, May 2010, page 21

Over the years I have created a survival kit which I carry in my glider at all times to be prepared for landouts. See this web page for more details.

Standalone Flight Recorders
I have built two different types of standalone flight recorders for club use in mutiple ships. Each has it's pros and cons. See this web page for more details.

NOTE: - While the club still owns and uses the EW Microrecorder, the Nano and other very small recorders definately look like interesting future choices.

Car Laptop Desk
Great for retrieves! I built a simple laptop desk for the passenger's seat. It incorporates lighting, a 12Vdc power strip and a 110Vac inverter. I use it with a Delorme GPS system for retrieves. See this web page for more details and pictures.
L'Hotellier Fittings
and
Wedekind Safety Sleeve Installation

   

Everything that you wanted to know about L'Hotellier fittings and the several ways to comply with the FAA AD about them. Also, a step-by-step guide to the stallation of Wederkind Sleeves on a glider with L'Hotellier fittings. See this web page for more details and pictures.
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