I've mentioned this before peripheral to other discussions, but I'm at the point where I'd like to throw it out there and see what others think. It's a Windows app I wrote to analyze GPS tracklogs from a flight, for logging and performance analysis. I've been using it for some years now in a cruder form, but I recently cleaned it up to the point where it can be shared.
The app, "Trackreader", takes a track log from a GPS (in .gpx format, though it can convert other formats like .kml or .igc as well) and identifies flight segments and provides speed and climb analysis.
After loading the file, it first displays a summary of the flights as you'd record them in your logbook (I usually forget to record times when I'm flying, so this gives me the from, to, and times for later recording in my logbook):
It identifies the stops based on the FAA airport database, which it automatically downloads.
When you select a flight and click "Analyze", a second screen opens for further analysis:
On this screen, you can click and drag to highlight a portion of the track, and the program displays information on that portion. After three portions have been marked, it can calculate the true airspeed and wind speed and direction using the "Doug Gray" method (of course, the airspeed and altitude should be constant and the three segments should roughly form an equilateral triangle, the example above isn't a great one), and it assumes a constant wind speed. I've used the program to evaluate the climb performance of different propellers, and to determine Vx and Vy from a series of climbs.
What GPS devices will it work on? Anything that can output a gpx, igc, or kml file, though different devices format the output files differently, which is one reason I'd like to see it tested with different devices. I've tested it with two different Garmin non-aviation handhelds (a 60CSx and a Gecko 301), but most often use it with the "GPSLogger" Android app on my phone unless I need better altitude information. For climb data, a GPS with a built in pressure sensor like the two I have will give much smoother data. Some EFB apps can also output track files. I don't know what kind of files dedication aviation GPS units can output?
At this point the user needs to be reasonably computer literate. There's no installer, but all you have to do is create a folder for the program, copy the single executable file into that folder, and create a shortcut if desired; the program will finish the setup from there.
If you're interested in trying it, please send me a PM here and I'll send you a copy.
The app, "Trackreader", takes a track log from a GPS (in .gpx format, though it can convert other formats like .kml or .igc as well) and identifies flight segments and provides speed and climb analysis.
After loading the file, it first displays a summary of the flights as you'd record them in your logbook (I usually forget to record times when I'm flying, so this gives me the from, to, and times for later recording in my logbook):
It identifies the stops based on the FAA airport database, which it automatically downloads.
When you select a flight and click "Analyze", a second screen opens for further analysis:
On this screen, you can click and drag to highlight a portion of the track, and the program displays information on that portion. After three portions have been marked, it can calculate the true airspeed and wind speed and direction using the "Doug Gray" method (of course, the airspeed and altitude should be constant and the three segments should roughly form an equilateral triangle, the example above isn't a great one), and it assumes a constant wind speed. I've used the program to evaluate the climb performance of different propellers, and to determine Vx and Vy from a series of climbs.
What GPS devices will it work on? Anything that can output a gpx, igc, or kml file, though different devices format the output files differently, which is one reason I'd like to see it tested with different devices. I've tested it with two different Garmin non-aviation handhelds (a 60CSx and a Gecko 301), but most often use it with the "GPSLogger" Android app on my phone unless I need better altitude information. For climb data, a GPS with a built in pressure sensor like the two I have will give much smoother data. Some EFB apps can also output track files. I don't know what kind of files dedication aviation GPS units can output?
At this point the user needs to be reasonably computer literate. There's no installer, but all you have to do is create a folder for the program, copy the single executable file into that folder, and create a shortcut if desired; the program will finish the setup from there.
If you're interested in trying it, please send me a PM here and I'll send you a copy.
