We have recently purchased 10 SPOT Emergency Locators for use in our club and competitions.

So, what are they?

SPOT: the world's first satellite messenger

"With the SPOT Satellite Messenger, you and your loved ones have peace of mind knowing help is always within reach. SPOT is the only device of its kind, using the GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, and then sending its location – with a link to Google Maps™ – and a pre-programmed message via a commercial satellite network. And unlike Personal Locator Beacons, SPOT does more than just call for help. Tracking your progress, checking in with loved ones, and non-emergency assistance are also available, all at the push of a button. And because it uses 100% satellite technology, SPOT works around the world – even where cell phones don't." - from http://www.findmespot.com/

Combined with a collection server we are able to take SPOT information and provide a regularly (every 10 minutes) updated map of all our gliders. With a little tweaking we can even see an approximation of the running board.

Why SPOT is a good fit for gliding and the GCV

• We can track our gliders in near real time.
• Each glider taking a SPOT has an emergency locator as good or better than an EPIRB (even the new ones) - pressing emergency button alerts the same rescue groups.
• You can press the "OK" button at any time to tell friends and loved ones you are OK - e.g. before and after a launch.
• If for some reason you can not press help, we still have your last position from the 10 minute updates. This is a fantastic safety feature for gliders.
• And finally you can press the "HELP" button to alert someone at the gliding club that you have outlanded, probably with no phone or radio communications and provide your coordinates.

Competitions and the future

The SPOTs the club has purchased will first be going up to the Grand Prix, then be available to our competitions pilots over the season (Juniors in December, State and Nationals in January, and of course our own comps over Christmas). After then the units will be available for hire just like our loggers and parachutes.

The club and the public

Finally, all of this information can be viewed on a web browser. Take a look at a high speed version (10 seconds is 10 minutes) - http://glidingmaps.com/track/

Scott Dadswells

The above image demonstrates myself driving from Dadswells to Stawell, back again and then flying the ridge.

Scott Penrose