https://www.fai.org/page/civl-meetings

https://www.fai.org/document-compression/180343

https://www.fai.org/sites/default/files/documents/annexe_11c_-_report_live_tracking_coordinator.pdf

In the first quarter of 2018, CIVL bought a fleet of 170 Flymaster
Live Trackers to be used at Category 1 events and appointed Elena Filonova as
CIVL Live Tracking Coordinator.

The manufacturer of the Life Trackers – a Portuguese IT company Flymaster
provided 2 unexpected bonuses to the live tracking service provided by his
devices:

• Highest quality 3D visualisation based on live tracking data that allowed
broadcasting competitions as if the pilots had cameras on them. The organisers
of HG Class 1 Worlds Test event organised Live video broadcasting based on
direct streaming from Take off/Goal areas and 3D visualisation of Flymaster. See
direct video from the media centre
https://www.facebook.com/fai.civl/videos/450830272060523/  Watch
broadcasting example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAXZNeO6OjI

• Another bonus was the development of free for users of Flymaster Live Trackers
Retrieve system. The system allows setting statuses, assigning vehicles and send
drivers the coordinates of pilots waiting for a retrieve. There is a smartphone
app chat that works both ways and brings all changes of statutes to the
operator’s control panel or mobile phone. All SOS messages and other questions
are also instantly delivered to the organisers mobile phones. Screens examples:
https://www.facebook.com/fai.civl/posts/457881128022104

Operational issues

The trackers were updated with the new software that made them compatible with
CIVL Category 1 flight recorder specification. So in 99% of cases all the IGC
files were 2 automatically received by scorer without the need for downloading
track logs from the devices of the participants. During the competition there
was a case when we had to download track log directly from the tracker and all
worked fine. Only a couple of times pilots were not satisfied by their results
and have brought their back-up instruments for download. Important issues turned
out to be taken into consideration while managing the live trackers:

• Live Trackers should not be exposed to direct sunlight for a long time
(battery drain), so a tent or shade should be organised on take-off.

• Live Trackers should be kept and charged in cool (better air-conditioned)
environment, which was not the case in Italy.

• Live Tracking Coordinator finishes work at about 1 a.m. every day and starts
at 7–8 a.m. every day, so should be accommodated in walking distance from HQ or
other place where the live tracking devices are stored.

Evaluation of activity

On the whole the project was successful. The trackers worked fine during the
flights that allowed monitoring of the pilots activity for various purposes:

• Race watching

• Safety

• Retrieve

• Fast scoring

• Penalty

The work of the trackers and coordinator received high esteem of PWC President
Goran Dimiskovski who was a meet director of the 3 events. The experience of the
use of CIVL live trackers allowed to contribute significantly to FAI Category 1
Organisers Handbook, which new edition will come out shortly.