Tracking Devices

[Air Hog]

After this accident this weekend, I want to know why they don't make tracking devices compulsory in Aircraft. These days these things are cheap small. The search for these planes must have cost Hundreds of Thousands and took almost 3 days.
I have one of these things and it cost me less than R3000. We have used it now yesterday again to track the Jabi that my partners flew up from Margate. Tracking it on the web all the time. Dawie was surprised when I phoned him and I told him that I can see that they are busy refueling in Margate.
We Microlighters have a good chance of not being fatally injured in an accident because our aeries are slow. Can you imagine lying at the wreck in cold weather for 3 days before someone finds you...

How much is your life worth?

Attached is a couple of screens. You have a replay in Google Earth with Altitute

Take Off from Margate

Margate Takeoff.JPG (42.3 KiB) Viewed 3522 times

Landing at Ladysmith

Landing at Ladysmith.JPG (28.16 KiB) Viewed 3522 times

Final track home

Final Track.JPG (33.98 KiB) Viewed 3522 times

[Tumbleweed]

CAn you provide details- supplier, price with any monthly rates and a web page where we can see the tracking?

This is a good oppertunity to list similar products with pricing and let the knowledgeable comment.

I think Cobra from the vfr.co.za page is also involved.

Punt the products here.

[Air Hog]

Hi
I am not punting a specific product. The one I use is at http://www.kilometers.co.za/web/kilo.php but there are various other products on the market.

[Gompou]

The only problem I see here is the fact that these tracker systems use the GPRS signal(cellphone) to relay the progress of the tracker itself. The cellphone signal is not available in big parts of the country. But at least you could get a update on a last known position, But if I understand it correctly there has to be a signal present for the tracker to give a precise location.Someone with more info, can you please comment here.

Look also at the post of John Boucher regarding the discount that MISSASA offers. Something back for your subscription money.Thanks to the organizers.
Fly safe
Gompou

[JvTonder]

Saw this on Avcom, anyone have some first hand knowledge off how it works please comment.

http://www.google.com/mobile/latitude/

[John Boucher]

I have been using Latitude with varying success but falls way short of the requirements one would need for decent tracking & S&R.

We used it on the ferry flight of the Cheetah down from Springs to Mossel Bay and there sections that my softness saw it quite well and then there was times it never updated....

I'm for a dedicated system that enables itself when the aircraft moves and records the last stationary point. Also, apart from tracks I download from my GPS, this records all and even altitude. Besides tracking for safety, it has another advantage and that is proving allegations of airspace busting or low flying (bet some won't want it now!)

[Air Hog]

I can then say that the Kilometer is the way to go. If you see the tracks that we had on our trip from Margate to Kroon, even over the Drakensberg, in really remote areas, the signal were never lost. Position and altitute always available. And the best is, the unit was in a side pocket in the door to prevent it from sliding around, not even on the dash. We have now mounted it with Velcro on the dash. The unit remains in standby mode while not moving and start recording when motion is detected.

Replay for ZU-CLR for 2011-08-16.kmz

See tracks recorded in Google Earth

(49.91 KiB) Downloaded 169 times

[AEROYOTA]

Hi There,
We have been in the tracking scene for some years now and I like this unit below.
I sells for less than R 2 000,00 with a monthly fee of min. R 39,00
It uses GPRS as well as GPS for locating the unit and has lots of optional extras.
You can find them here.

http://www.selftrack.co.za/selftrack/main/vas

Strongs.

[John Boucher]

I don't think there is a monthly fee on the Kilometer unit?

Come Air Hog ... elaborate on your costs....

[LenM]

I gave the guys at 'Kilometer' a call and they seem to be a jacked up bunch!

Have a look at their website as it quickly and easily explains the working and possible application of their different units.
There are different settings on 'polling' depending on your needs...
1.Normal mode
2.High Power Mode
3.Super Track Mode
4.Low Power Mode

John, as per your query regarding operational cost:
"After the initial 24 months a projected cost of R 570.00 VAT included for the next 24-month period. This price is a once-off price that includes enough airtime loaded on a pre- paid SIM card to last for 24 months of GPRS data under normal tracking conditions (approximately 50 M-byte worth of data at present pre- paid data costs). Should you run out of airtime, the SIM card can be recharged by any of the normal pre- paid recharge facilities."

It does use the Vodacom cell network, but the unit captures the coords as you travel (based on your prefered setting) and then updates as soon as you get signal... It could therefore be possible, when flying out of range of a mast, that you will not have a displayed position for a while. Once in range again, your track will be updated. To my mind, still better than having nothing?!
Furthermore, when out of range of a tower, I'd actually make a habit of getting some altitude to update my coords, if my position at that time is truly critical!?

I can of course not vouch for this particular product, but I'm def getting this type of device!!
Not only for myself, but realise the peace of mind it would bring to my family....

[John Boucher]

Thank you for your feedback Len...

I'll be supporting kilometers because of the MISASA initiative and the product appeals to me!

[Air Hog]

I don't think there is a monthly fee on the Kilometer unit?

Come Air Hog ... elaborate on your costs....

There is no monthly cost. Will have to update prepaid Vodacom sim once every 2 years +- R100. That is what it have on when you get it.

[HansK]

Much cheaper than any of the systems that work on cellphone reception, is available on vfrplanner.co.za You only need a cellphone that has got a GPS and it cost less than R100 per year. It is all on this fantastic website. You download VFR Tracker onto your phone, activate it and fly. The whole family tracks me all the way when I am flying long distances.
You need to pay for some services on the site like 7 day weather forecast, PLUS THE UPPER-WIND actuals and 5 day forecast, but it is not expensive. It is a fantastic website. The back-up service on this site is measured in minutes, not hours or days. I highly recommend the tracker and other info on this site.

[ZS-NEL]

Sias's VFR Tracker works fine and I have tested it from my BlackBerry 9700 Bold today. I will be switching on tomorrow on the ferry flight of ZU-ECA from Rhino park to Uitenhage. You can follow me here: http://www.infozone.tv/index.php?option ... &Itemid=75