New software for the 6040

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We just released a new version of the software for the Flytec Balloon 6040: V3.08f fixes a bug where in some cases, the vario would display wrong flight dates in the internal flight log. This version also improves the configuration import from SD card.

Download the new version from the 6040 software page.

New software for the Flytec Balloon 4

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We have just released a new software version for the Flytec Balloon 4. V2.02.01 brings a number of improvements, and also fixes a few bugs.

To get the most out of your Flytec Balloon 4, especially consistent and correct flight recording, we highly recommend that you install this software version.

 

Happy flying!
Flytec Balloon

New software for the Flytec Balloon 4 and the 6040

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We have just released new software versions for both the Flytec Balloon 4 and the 6040.

Flytec Balloon 4

Software version V2.01.00 brings a number of new features, as suggested by our pilots, along with a number of bug fixes. For details, see the Flytec Balloon 4 software page. One of the fixed bugs concerns the FB_Actualizer program that sits on each Flytec Balloon 4. Due to an expired certificate, the version of that program distributed with V2.00.04 and older is no longer able to communicate with our servers. To update your vario’s software, download the newest FB_Actualizer, unpack it, connect your Flytec Balloon 4 with your computer and run the FB_Actualizer.

Flytec Balloon 6040

Software version V3.08d brings an improved handling of sink tone and sink alert thresholds, along with a number of bug fixes. For details, see the Flytec Balloon 6040 software page.

Breaking news: We are partnering up!

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Volirium, the company behind the Flytec Balloon brand of variometers and other electronic devices used and loved by balloonists world-wide, will from now on work with two partners for production, sales, service, and repairs. This is to ensure that the ballooning world can continue to rely on Flytec Balloon as a professional brand that is guided by pilots’ best interests.

The first of these partners is Flymaster Avionics in Portugal, a company that is mainly known for its paragliding varios and the Flymaster Tracker, a live tracking system used in many competitions. From now on, Flymaster will be responsible for production, sales, and support of Flytec Balloon varios, while Volirium and Flymaster will be jointly responsible for marketing and development. Volirium’s General Manager Jörg Ewald will continue to make sure Flytec Balloon devices deliver exactly what pilots need.

The second partner is Swiss-German CAMO Ballonservice Gerhardt.Schmidle, who will become responsible for all repairs outside of North America. Patrik Schmidle was our very first test pilot for the Flytec Balloon 3040, back in 1991. His company was the first Swiss balloon CAMO. The vario repairs will be done by our very own Jorge Rodrigues, who has been responsible for vario repairs at Volirium for more than five years.

We do our best to keep changes for you as a pilot to a minimum:
– All information about Flytec Balloon remains available at www.flytec-balloon.com
– Our reseller network remains unchanged
– In North America, Steve Kroop at Flytec USA (www.flytec.com / info@flytec.com) remains your primary contact point for support and repairs

There will be a few changes nevertheless, for pilots outside of North America:
– For support and repairs, write to support@flytec-balloon.com. We will provide instructions on how to get your defective varios to Ballonservice
– For all other concerns, contact us at info@flytec-balloon.com.

We are very excited about these collaborations and look forward to working with Flymaster and Ballonservice.

Jörg Ewald for Volirium

Update for 6040

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We just released a new version of the software for the Flytec Balloon 6040: V3.08c fixes the bug where in some cases, the vario would completely freeze up and no longer respond to user input.

Download the new version from the 6040 software page.

New: Flytec Balloon Live Sensor

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We are very happy to announce the arrival of a new member to our Flytec Balloon vario family: The Flytec Balloon Live Sensor is now available to all competition pilots world-wide.

The successor to our well-known Flytec Balloon FAI Competition Logger is a joint development with the Ballooning Commission (CIA) of the World Air Sport Federation (FAI). FAI/CIA is therefore entitled to bulk ordering at cost. We just completed delivery of their first order a few weeks ago. They are planning another ordering round by the end of 2021.

For competitors and federations who cannot wait until then, we now offer the Flytec Balloon Live Sensor at market price, through our reseller network and our own web shop.

More information on the Flytec Balloon Live Sensor can be found on our website, as well as the Balloon Live site.

Another firmware release for the 6040

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We have released yet another firmware version for the 6040. V3.03a includes the following changes from the last official release (3.01a, released in December 2017):

  • Cleaner start-up and shut-down screens
  • Updated, unified texts for menus and settings throughout whole 6000 vario family
  • The link the an FAF airspace file on the SD card is removed whenever airspaces are uploaded from the computer, or when airspaces are deleted through the menu
  • All numeric values (e.g. cylinder radius) can be increased / decreased rapidly with the right / left arrow keys, and slower, for finer settings, with the up / down arrow keys
  • Distances in routes are shown with one decimal
  • Range of vane wheel correction: 50 % to 150 %
  • In the IGC file, the “takeoff” and “landing” C-records are now set according to the specification
  • Bug fix, uploading airspaces no longer leads to re-initialization with wrong values (e.g. serial number 500)

Important: This update will delete all waypoints and routes from the vario. Make sure you save them to the SD card or your computer before updating.

Visit the 6040 software page to download this version.

New firmware for the 6040

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We have released a new firmware version for the 6040. V 3.01a includes the following changes from the last official release (2.07i, released in 2013):

  • Improved data reception from TT34, filter out unrealistic values
  • Cleaned-up start-up screen
  • Corrected base configuration for varios with serial number 6649 and higher
  • Data fields: corrected some field names
  • Data field “FL (ft)“ renamed to “Alt FL“, now 3 digits, in hecto-feet according to standard

Visit the 6040 software page to download this version.