FLARM
Encyclopedia
FLARM is an electronic
device to selectively alert pilots to potential collisions between aircraft
. It is not formally an implementation of ADS-B, as it is optimised for the specific needs of small aircraft such as gliders, not for long-range communication or ATC interaction.
FLARM (the name being inspired from 'flight alarm') obtains its position from an internal GPS
and a barometric sensor and then broadcasts this with forecast data about the future 3d flight track. Its receiver listens for other FLARM devices within typically 3-5 kilometres and processes the information received. Motion-prediction algorithm
s predict potential conflicts for up to 50 other signals and warn the pilot using sound and visual means. FLARM can also store information about static aerial obstacles, such as cables, in a database. The FLARM serial data protocol is public, while the prediction engine of the FLARM radio-protocol is proprietary
and licensed to manufacturers. The prediction engine itself is patented by Onera (France).
Unlike conventional transponder
s in aircraft, FLARM has a low power consumption and is relatively cheap to buy (620 euro plus tax) and to install. Furthermore conventional Airborne Collision Avoidance System
s (ACAS) are little use in preventing gliders
from colliding with each other because gliders are frequently close to each other without being in danger of collision. ACAS would give out continuous and unnecessary warnings about all aircraft in the vicinity, whereas FLARM only gives selective alerts to aircraft posing a collision risk. Versions are sold for use in light aircraft and helicopters, as well as gliders. However the short range of the signal makes FLARM unsuitable for avoiding collisions with fast moving aircraft such as commercial and military jets.
The Swiss Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) published in Dec 2010: "The rapid distribution of such systems only a few months after their introduction was not accomplished through regulatory measures, but rather on a voluntary basis and as a result of the wish on the part of the involved players to contribute towards the reduction of collision risk. The FOCA recommends that glider tow planes and helicopters that operate in lower airspace should also use collision warning systems."
FLARM was founded by Urs Rothacher and Andrea Schlapbach in 2003, joined by Urban Mäder in 2004. First sales were made in early 2004. Currently there are over 15,200 FLARM-compatible units (over 10,800 produced by FLARM Technology, over 4,400 by licensed 3rd party manufacturers who have now overtaken FLARM in current sales) in use mainly in Switzerland
, Germany
, France
, Austria
, Italy
, the Benelux
, Scandinavia
, Hungary
, Israel
, Australia
, New Zealand
and South Africa
. In the UK
the telecom authority and Civil Aviation Authority
confirmed in 2007 that FLARM was acceptable and so it is also being adopted there.
Recent devices can also act as flight recorders by producing files in the (.igc) format
defined by the FAI Gliding Commission
. Through an interface some FLARMs can be linked to other some devices to produce a spoken warning of potential threats in addition to a display. Graphic displays with moving maps have also been produced by other manufacturers which use the data to plot the position of nearby aircraft including their rates of climb and call-signs.
FLARM's unique technology is also used in ground-based vehicles, e.g. for all sorts of vehicles in surface-mining
such as trucks, dozers a.s.f. These products are designed and produced by the Swiss-company SAFEmine Ltd.
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
device to selectively alert pilots to potential collisions between aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
. It is not formally an implementation of ADS-B, as it is optimised for the specific needs of small aircraft such as gliders, not for long-range communication or ATC interaction.
FLARM (the name being inspired from 'flight alarm') obtains its position from an internal GPS
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
and a barometric sensor and then broadcasts this with forecast data about the future 3d flight track. Its receiver listens for other FLARM devices within typically 3-5 kilometres and processes the information received. Motion-prediction algorithm
Algorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...
s predict potential conflicts for up to 50 other signals and warn the pilot using sound and visual means. FLARM can also store information about static aerial obstacles, such as cables, in a database. The FLARM serial data protocol is public, while the prediction engine of the FLARM radio-protocol is proprietary
Property
Property is any physical or intangible entity that is owned by a person or jointly by a group of people or a legal entity like a corporation...
and licensed to manufacturers. The prediction engine itself is patented by Onera (France).
Unlike conventional transponder
Transponder
In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...
s in aircraft, FLARM has a low power consumption and is relatively cheap to buy (620 euro plus tax) and to install. Furthermore conventional Airborne Collision Avoidance System
Airborne Collision Avoidance System
An airborne collision avoidance system is an aircraft system that operates independently of ground-based equipment and air traffic control in warning pilots of the presence of other aircraft that may present a threat of collision. If the risk of collision is imminent, the system indicates a...
s (ACAS) are little use in preventing gliders
Glider (sailplane)
A glider or sailplane is a type of glider aircraft used in the sport of gliding. Some gliders, known as motor gliders are used for gliding and soaring as well, but have engines which can, in some cases, be used for take-off or for extending a flight...
from colliding with each other because gliders are frequently close to each other without being in danger of collision. ACAS would give out continuous and unnecessary warnings about all aircraft in the vicinity, whereas FLARM only gives selective alerts to aircraft posing a collision risk. Versions are sold for use in light aircraft and helicopters, as well as gliders. However the short range of the signal makes FLARM unsuitable for avoiding collisions with fast moving aircraft such as commercial and military jets.
The Swiss Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) published in Dec 2010: "The rapid distribution of such systems only a few months after their introduction was not accomplished through regulatory measures, but rather on a voluntary basis and as a result of the wish on the part of the involved players to contribute towards the reduction of collision risk. The FOCA recommends that glider tow planes and helicopters that operate in lower airspace should also use collision warning systems."
FLARM was founded by Urs Rothacher and Andrea Schlapbach in 2003, joined by Urban Mäder in 2004. First sales were made in early 2004. Currently there are over 15,200 FLARM-compatible units (over 10,800 produced by FLARM Technology, over 4,400 by licensed 3rd party manufacturers who have now overtaken FLARM in current sales) in use mainly in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, the Benelux
Benelux
The Benelux is an economic union in Western Europe comprising three neighbouring countries, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. These countries are located in northwestern Europe between France and Germany...
, Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. In the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
the telecom authority and Civil Aviation Authority
United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority
The Civil Aviation Authority is the public corporation which oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the United Kingdom. The CAA head office is located in the CAA House on Kingsway in Holborn, London Borough of Camden...
confirmed in 2007 that FLARM was acceptable and so it is also being adopted there.
Recent devices can also act as flight recorders by producing files in the (.igc) format
Filename extension
A filename extension is a suffix to the name of a computer file applied to indicate the encoding of its contents or usage....
defined by the FAI Gliding Commission
FAI Gliding Commission
The International Gliding Commission is a leading international governing body for the sport of gliding.It is one of several Air Sport Commissions of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale , or "World Air Sports Federation"...
. Through an interface some FLARMs can be linked to other some devices to produce a spoken warning of potential threats in addition to a display. Graphic displays with moving maps have also been produced by other manufacturers which use the data to plot the position of nearby aircraft including their rates of climb and call-signs.
FLARM's unique technology is also used in ground-based vehicles, e.g. for all sorts of vehicles in surface-mining
Surface mining
Surface mining , is a type of mining in which soil and rock overlying the mineral deposit are removed...
such as trucks, dozers a.s.f. These products are designed and produced by the Swiss-company SAFEmine Ltd.
External links
- FLARM page
- public FLARM serial data protocol
- Overview of collision avoidance systems
- Comparison of Mode A/C, S, FLARM and ADS-B
- "FIVV asks FLARM an open protocol" and "FLARM Compatibility Considerations" Aero Gazette
- Enhancing the efficacy of Flarm radio communication protocol by computer simulation (English, German)
- SAFEmine page