iFly log data displayed on Google Earth

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9/6/2012 1:26 AM
 

This is such a great feature of the iFly, I wanted to share for anyone that might be interested in seeing your flights displayed on Google Earth. In addition to seeing your track, it also shows you your altitude too!

First, locate the log files for your flights. Remove the SD card from the side of the iFly and put it into your computer (you will need an SD card reader if your computer doesn't have one). Go to the User -> Logs folder. You'll see text files which have all the data from your past flights.

Make sure you have Google Earth installed on your computer before moving on: www.google.com/earth/index.html

I recommend you copy the log file for your flight from the SD card to a new folder on your computer, and then go to this webpage:

www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input

1. Change the Units to "US" under General Map Parameters

2. Choose "Extruded (connected to the ground by a wall)" for the Altitude Mode under Track Options

3. Upload your GPS data file. Up to 3 different flight logs can be uploaded. Each flight will be displayed as a different color.

4. Create the KML file.

It will take a few seconds to generate a link on a new page. You can either click the link and it will open the file in Google Earth, or right click the link and save the file to your computer to keep a local copy for yourself.

Here is a screen shot of a departure and arrival into KLVK (red track is departure, blue is arrival). You will have to pan the view on Google Earth in order to see the altitude visually displayed. If you don't, you will only see the track portrayed from the default view, which is directly vertical over the terrain.

Use the arrow highlighted in the green box below to tilt the view so you can see the altitude "wall".

I hope you folks enjoy this as much as I have. I've emailed these Google Earth files to people after their first flight in my Cessna 170, and they really seem to enjoy it.

 
New Post
9/6/2012 1:27 AM
 

The other thing which makes this really fun is to display the airspaces in 3D on Google Earth along with your flight. Display your flight in Google Earth, and then go here to give you a KML file (.kmz) for the 3D airspaces:www.lloydbailey.net/airspace.html

Here is a larger version of the GPS Visualizer page options. The pictures are resized a lot smaller when I upload them.

 
New Post
9/6/2012 1:10 PM
 

That is pretty cool. Have you used the EveryTrail option off the GPSVisualizer? It gives you a moving graph with altitude and speed overlayed on a Google map. Not 3D like this one but with some good information to evaluate your flight.

 
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9/6/2012 5:15 PM
 

I haven't...but will try that! Thanks.

 
New Post
9/6/2012 5:33 PM
 

By the way, a beautiful 170.

 
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