Mechanical Gauge

Even though a variometer gauge can be displayed on the flight computer, many pilots prefer to have a mechanical vario gauge on the instrument panel. This project implements such an instrument that is compatible to the Openvario flight computer.

The gauge is a proof of concept only and not yet ready for publishing. It uses a stepper motor designed for automotive gauges (see http://guy.carpenter.id.au/gaugette/2012/05/25/buyers-guide/), an Arduino and the SwitecX25 Library provided by Guy Carpenter under a BSD license. An additional LED bargraph will display angle of attack measured by a DIY sensor mounted on the TE probe as an additional safety feature.

Download the firmware.

In the meantime the work around the Mechanical Gauge progressed, the current status can be seen in the XCSoar-Forum