News

August 28 2008
Bavarian Ministry of the Interior purchases eight EC135 Helicopters with FLARM

"... The EC135’s police-specific equipment includes a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) camera, a high-resolution digital day and night vision camera, SatCOM, GPS, a digital map device, Tetra digital radio, the FLARM® collision warning system, a tactical direction finder, a digital flight management system and a GSM telephone .." [Eurocopter]

April 25 2008
FLARM signs license agreement with ONERA

Thanks to this agreement, the technology which has been developed and brought to international market success by Flarm, can further advance and spread into new fields. Since its introduction in 2004, over 11’000 Flarm and compatible devices have been installed in aircraft worldwide.
This cooperation in research and development complements flights tests performed by ONERA, covers the provision of scientific support on leading-edge collision avoidance technology, and will impact the next generation of Flarm’s product improvements.
Aware of ONERA’s contributions to flight safety, Flarm contacted ONERA already in 2004, leading eventually to a formal agreement. The patent family invented by ONERA and licensed to Flarm covers not only collision avoidance, but also additional aspects of aircraft data communication, traffic information display, navigation and ‘SOS’ distress signals.
The license granted to Flarm, covering key markets such as France, Germany, UK, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Sweden and North America, opens Flarm the possibility to sub-license its core design, as this is an essential requirement for all compatible designs and its continued broad market acceptance.
ONERA is the leading aerospace and defence research & technology organization in France. Created in 1946, it is a state-owned entity reporting to the French Ministry of Defense. Onera has 2,000 employees, deploying their multidisciplinary expertise and an array of test facilities unrivalled in Europe for both public agencies and industry. A proven source of innovation, expertise and long-term vision, Onera has contributed to many of today’s aerospace and defence benchmarks, including Ariane 5, Airbus, Eurocopter helicopters and the Rafale combat aircraft.

Apr 11, 2008
Support for task declaration in Naviter products (SeeYou, SeeYou Mobile, ConnectMe)

SeeYou is the first programm to support the downloading of tasks to the new IGC approved FLARM devices. The feature is available in the latest versions of SeeYou, SeeYou Mobile and ConnectMe (free) - available from Naviter

Apr 02, 2008
Flytec and FLARM announce cooperation

Flytec and FLARM jointly develop a collision warning device for hang-gliders, integrated in existing products from Flytec. Equipped hang-gliders can be localized and avoided by the over 11'000 already with FLARM-compatible units equipped aircraft and helicopters worldwide.
The Swiss Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association SHPA and the Swiss Air-Rescue REGA both actively support the development of this technology for hang-gliders.
Flytec is the global market leader for hang-gliders instruments, based in Switzerland. Their devices cover all market segments for the top competition to the recreational pilot.

Mar 28, 2008
BIOFLY and FLARM start partnership

Today BIOFLY and FLARM announce a partnership covering R&D, product product integration and local distribution. Biofly is an Italian company designing and selling integrated avionics. Its products are used worldwide in different aircraft categories and includes navigation systems, flight recorders, engine control units and ground-stations for traffic display. Biofly maintains tight links to universities for R&D and to guarantee systems with a high content of technological innovation.
BIOFLY is integrating FLARM traffic data into its synthetic vision products available for both aircraft- and ground-based usage. With this, traffic data from ADS-B and FLARM can be combined.
BIOFLY also acts as new Italian distributor for FLARM products, covering new products as well as the support and upgrade of the many products in use in Italy. In this role, BIOFLY sells the original FLARM traffic and collision warning system including the IGC-approved flight recorders and obstacle data also covering Italy.

Mar 20, 2008
IGC refers looking into long-term air-to-air standard to FAI

At the annual IGC meeting in Rome on March 1 2008, the Italian proposal was approved by IGC and – as recommended by Flarm – referred the matter to the provisional FAI Commission on Airspace and Navigation Systems (CANS) (see the official meeting minutes). At the meeting, the consulted IGC experts have recommended to look forward to integrate with ATC systems and existing ADS-B technology operating in protected aviation frequencies rather than get involved into a commercial debate. They stated that getting involved in such a debate – different to flight recorders – is years too late also because the market is established. It was understood that if at all, a proper governing process would need to be established before another new standard for air-to-air radio communication could ever be presented.
On its first March 19 meeting, the tight agenda for CANS did not allow covering the above topic; the next meeting is scheduled for end of 2008. FLARM continues to support efforts to define a safe and efficient governing framework for the spread of its technology.

Mar 10, 2008
IGC has approved Flarm as IGC flight recorder

After an extensive period of analysis and testing, Flarm today was issued IGC's approval as flight recorder for flights up to and including diamond level, including the optional ENL sensor for motor gliders. Flarm is the first Swiss manufacturer offering IGC flight recorders. In addition to new devices, more than 8'000 existing Flarm units shipped since 2005 can now be upgraded to IGC level at frictional cost. With this, the number of IGC approved flight recorders might double in short time. Additional reading: IGC Approval Document, Order new Units, Upgrade of old units.

Feb 21, 2008
Flarm proposes alternative to IGC Plenary

The Italian Gliding Federation has proposed to IGC to initiate the development of an open und not-changing radio communication protocol. Flarm has addressed a series of issues and proposes an alternative strategy. For details, read this document.

Feb 12, 2008
Allianz-Suisse lowers insurance fees for Flarm-equipped aircraft

The insurance company Allianz-Suisse has communicated to lower insurance fees by 5% for new contracts with Flarm-equipped aircraft. Please refer to this document.

Jan 15, 2008
No agreement reached between FLARM and

After three weeks of intense discussions between FLARM Technology and , no joint position acceptable for both parties for a future collaboration and operational compatibility could be agreed. Therefore talks have been stopped and both parties will pursue their own strategy.
The negotiations were conducted under confidentiality thus no details will be disseminated. The negotiations covered general as well as technical, regulatory, intellectual property and commercial aspects. While many positions converged, no common position could be established in any of these aspects.
The way Flarm negotiates with other companies - also those competing with our own products - needs to ensure safe interoperability for the benefit of all pilots, must be applicable to 3rd party companies as well, should not result in a disadvantage to current and long-time partners and manufacturers, and must base on mutual trust as well as economic principles.

Dec 21 2007
FLARM and involved in compatibility discussions

FLARM Technology and , both active in glider avionics, have entered a period of negotiations on operational compatibility. In the course of these negotiations, which are expected to last for few weeks, technical, IP and commercial aspects will be discussed and possible ways of collaboration evaluated. To conduct the talks in good spirit, the parties have agreed not to further comment on statements made in the past weeks on their respective systems. Some disputed issues will be discussed intensely and we will inform of the results when available. There will be no further communication while negotiations are under way.

Nov 11 2007
High performance antenna available

This antenna has been developed for increased range and superior protection against electro static discharge (ESD).

Oct 30 2007
Flarm research paper on Enhancing the efficacy of warning systems by computer simulation published

Warning systems are often complex networks of measurement devices, communication lines, decision makers, and measures to be taken. While the single units are reasonably designed, the overall performance of the whole system is often hard to estimate.
Computer simulation is a means of assessing such situations. The warning system is subjected to a large number of (potentially dangerous) scenarios in order to discover and eliminate weaknesses and flaws. Moreover, potential countermeasures can be simulated to find the most effective actions to be taken when warnings are raised.
This concept is applied to the Flarm collision avoidance system used in aircraft across the world. It is shown that the system breakdown is far beyond common volume of traffic. Moreover, improvements are suggested to further increase safety, subject for the Flarm radio communication protocol (RF) improvements in 2008. Future changes can be tested in the simulation prior to release.
While the concept is demonstrated to work for Flarm, it is generally applicable to other warning systems and danger situations.

Sept 21 2007
PocketFMS to support FLARM

PocketFMS is a Flight Management System and Moving Map software package for Windows PC's and Microsoft-based Pocket PC's.
The next PocketFMS release will support the use of FLARM. Other FLARM equipped traffic will be shown on the Moving Map along with its relative altitude and FLARM can be used as source of GPS data.

May 13 2007
New Installation Quick-Checklist available

The Support > Manual section now contains a Quick-Checklist, intended to support your FLARM installation and commissioning activities. In any case, also consult the Installation and Operating Manuals. We recommended filling out this Checklist and to store it together with the official aircraft files.

May 5 2007
New Forum Software

The new Flarm Forum is at: http://www.flarm.com/forum
Old discussions were transferred. Enjoy.

April 20 2007
Flarm wins the FAI "Prince Alvaro de Orleans-Borbon Fund" award

April 12 2007
Impact of electrical discharge on receive range

High electrical discharge through the Flarm radio-antenna on the receiver can cause a reduced range for receiving signals in devices manufactured before mid 2006. Some devices have experienced this degradation, but most devices are unaffected. The discharge seems to be dependent on installation (e.g. does the antenna touch the canopy), on the canopy drapery material and the dryness of the airfield. Unaffected are the transmission of own radio signals (i.e. the transmission range), the GPS function as well as the obstacle warning function. The symptom for the problem is when the own device (in the nearest-mode) indicated other aircraft much later than these other aircraft get the indication about the own aircraft; the obstacle warning is unchanged. A software release early May will include an additional functionality to indicate the number of nearby aircraft on the ground, as received with different levels of sensitivity. With this, the user can reliably detect if the symptom is prevalent. If so, describe the detailed problem to us so that a solution (e.g. a repair) can be found and further instruction can be given. Please do not ship devices without prior instructions.

December 20 2006
EASA declares FLARM as standard equipment for gliders and motorgliders

EASA has published the two AMC regarding Standard Parts in sailplanes and powered sailplanes. They clarify that equipment usually used in gliders only, is considered as standard parts: electrical variometers, bank/slip indicators ball type, total energy probes, capacity bottles (for variometers), final glide calculators, navigation computers, data logger / barograph /turnpoint camera, bug-wipers and anti-collision systems (FLARM).
- Jannes Neumann (European Gliding Union) explains the AMC's
- AMC Part 21
- AMC Part M

October 31 2006
UK representative for Flarm

We are delighted to announce that LX avionics Ltd, run by John Delafield, has agreed to represent Flarm Technology in the United Kingdom. LX avionics Ltd already handles a range of products from Filser GmbH and LX navigation d.o.o. and the addition of Flarm Technology will further extend the service offered to customers.
John was a British National Gliding Champion a number of times during the 1960s and 70s and is currently a pilot in the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve flying G115Es. When asked how long he has been flying solo the answer is "more than 51 years" ! Flarm Technology welcomes his immense experience.

February 26, 2006
Software and Obstacle Update available

The updated version of the FLARM firmware v3.00 is available and must be installed prior to using the device. Else FLARM does not work after March 1, 2006. In addition, all the manuals are available in English as well as German. A new obstacle database is available as well, but it is recommended only when you fly in the European Alps. Enjoy!.

January 10, 2006
Simulation mandate for radio protocol

FLARM Technology has mandated xirrus GmbH to develop a computer-based simulation environment for the radio communication protocol to better analyse the performance and limitations of the radio protocol released in the coming March. The new environment will leverage the previous analytical and nummerical work done by Flarm since 2003, which were the basis for the four versions of the protocol so far. The new environment will facilitate the design of an even more powerful version 6 of the protocol which will become effective in March 2008.

October 2004
Vigilant – another system

FLARM is based on a concept of disseminating GPS-derived position data with a digital radio broadcast. This concept is as old as GPS itself and has often been discussed in detail and was further developed in several occasions. There exist many practical systems based on the same concept, e.g. ADS-B for optimized air traffic control or Vigilant, designed and developed by Jean-Marc Baggio. Vigilant is a car-based alert system patented in 1996 allowing all road users to warn others and to be warned. Vigilant prevents massive freeway pileup to happen and has caught the car-industry's attention. In 2001, Mr. Baggio extended his concept for air and sea safety under the name Proximetre. FLARM Technology acknowledges Mr Baggio's work and achievements, while Mr Baggio has agreed to support FLARM's further expansion into the French market, also by explicitly waiving potential intellectual property rights that may be used by FLARM Technology in aviation.

May 2004
ACAS / TCAS

A very good explanation the the functionality and design and limitations of ACAS/TCAS can be found in the Accident Report on the airliner collision near Ueberlingen / Lake Constance (PDF 3.5 MB).

07.04.2004
Swiss Pool of Aviation Insurences supports Flarm

We have been able to sign a support agreement of a substantial amount with the pool of swiss aircraft insurances on April 7, 2004. The pool's members are most of the aircraft insurances operating on the swiss market (see the list, PDF 8 kB). On one hand, the pool supports the FLARM technology association financially in its activities to introduce and spread the use of FLARM devices. On the other hand, it subsidizes the buyers of FLARM devices. The calculation and payback are done retrospectively via FLARM Technology.

Tests & Evaluations

Scottish Gliding Union, 12/2007

Cape Town/South Africa, 09/2006
(Sven Oliver)

Möve-Obernau/DE, 06/2006
(Roland Glas)

Geitau/DE, 01/2006
(Hans Fitterer)

Hotzenwald/DE, 01/2006
(Eckard Neubronner)

Aschaffenburg/DE, 12/2005
(Ernst-Otto Dumke)

St. Auban / France, 09/2005
(Daniel Serres)

Gawler-Adelaide/AU, 07/2005
(Peter Temple)

Wiener Neustadt/OE, 06/2005
(Wolfgang Janowitsch)

DG Flugzeugbau/DE, 06/2005
(Karl-Friedrich Weber)

Antersberg/DE, 05/2005
(Thomas Hesse)

Montricher/CH, 10/2004
(Didier Küttel)

Königsdorf/DE, 10/2004
(Matthias Schunk)

St. Crépin/FR, 09/2004
(Jérémie Badaroux)

Bad Ragaz/CH, 04/2004
(Andreas Zogg)