Glider Altimeter Design
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
I need a compact, lightweight altimeter purpose-built for a foot-launched glider. The read-out must be purely digital and show altitude exclusively in metres, with smooth, real-time updates that stay readable in bright daylight.
Project: F5J Competition Altimeter
I would like to develop a simple, lightweight altimeter for F5J electric gliders. The design should be reliable, compact, low cost, and easy to manufacture.
Required Functions
Measure altitude from power-on until motor shutoff.
Detect motor start and motor stop automatically.
Record the maximum launch altitude.
Measure motor run time.
Apply the official F5J altitude measurement requirements.
Store the flight data until the next power cycle.
Display the launch altitude and motor run time after landing.
Use a small, easy-to-read OLED or LCD display.
Operate from the receiver power supply (approximately 4–9V).
Weigh as little as possible.
Use a standard servo connector so it plugs in between the receiver and ESC.
Operation
No programming should be required before each flight.
The unit should automatically arm when powered on.
After the motor stops, it should continue recording altitude until landing.
After landing, the display should show:
Maximum launch altitude
Motor run time
Goals
Small
Lightweight
Accurate
Reliable
Low power consumption
Low manufacturing cost
Project: F5J Competition Altimeter
I would like to develop a simple, lightweight altimeter for F5J electric gliders. The design should be reliable, compact, low cost, and easy to manufacture.
Required Functions
Measure altitude from power-on until motor shutoff.
Detect motor start and motor stop automatically.
Record the maximum launch altitude.
Measure motor run time.
Apply the official F5J altitude measurement requirements.
Store the flight data until the next power cycle.
Display the launch altitude and motor run time after landing.
Use a small, easy-to-read OLED or LCD display.
Operate from the receiver power supply (approximately 4–9V).
Weigh as little as possible.
Use a standard servo connector so it plugs in between the receiver and ESC.
Operation
No programming should be required before each flight.
The unit should automatically arm when powered on.
After the motor stops, it should continue recording altitude until landing.
After landing, the display should show:
Maximum launch altitude
Motor run time
Goals
Small
Lightweight
Accurate
Reliable
Low power consumption
Low manufacturing cost