LX avionics Ltd. Radio transceivers, flight recorders, transponders, variometers,

(Flight Alarm)

Flarm OFCOM approved - 1 Oct 2008

Updated 10th February 2010

Flarm consists of a very low power RF transmitter (868.2 MHz) with a range of 2- 3 Km that continuously broadcasts its position and velocity vector derived from its integrated GPS receiver. It uses a combination of a barometric altitude sensor and GPS derived altitude for determining proximity and flight path. In parallel it receives any signals from nearby Flarm equipped aircraft and processes these by motion prediction algorithms to provide an audio alarm (by integral audio or via intercom by use of an additional unit) and a visual alert to the pilot. No warning is given if an aircraft does not pose an immediate threat. Flarm also warns of fixed obstacles such as wires strung across Alpine valleys, power cables, TV masts, etc, depending on the database installed. All Swiss Flarm systems sold by LX avionics Ltd contain a flight recorder (not IGC approved when supplied - but see the next paragraph)

Swiss Flarm has secured Diamond Level IGC approval as a Flight Recorder and all units sold by LX avionics Ltd (all have the SD card feature) will be upgradeable. Prices are set out at the end of this Swiss Flarm section.

Red Box Flarm and LX Mini Box Flarm is available with Diamond Level IGC Approval, but upgrades currently have to be done at the LX navigation factory.

The next free mandatory firmware update to all Flarm devices is scheduled for Spring 2011. Colibri Flarm units are supplied with an update cable. All other Flarm units can be upgraded using Colibri cable set. Bespoke update (power/data) for Swiss Flarm can be purchased from LX avionics Ltd for £17.00 plus VAT (£19.98 incl VAT) but note that this can be done by SD card instead.

It was the high incidence of glider v glider collisions in the Alps, of which about half were fatal and some involved personal friends, that prompted the inventors of Flarm to develop their system. Unlike other systems currently being proposed, Flarm is here and now and uses well established non-approved GPS engines that most aviators now use in one form or another; it works! After its launch in 2004 the system has seen near exponential growth in usage in Europe and is currently used in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France as well as in South Africa, Australia & New Zealand. In total there are over 11,000 units in use worldwide (Sept 08) and this number is likely to grow substantially as pilots discover its potential to aid their lookout. Many units are in now use in the UK.

Flarm is also built under licence in Australia where it is known as OzFlarm (what else!) and in Europe by LX navigation. Of course, there is a need for a "critical mass" of Flarm units in every flying region and best results will be obtained when the majority of aircraft in the vicinity are Flarm equipped.

Remember; Flarm is not a substitute for good lookout but an aid to better lookout.

Swiss Flarm

Since its launch less than 5 years ago Swiss Flarm, the original, has had an incredible take-up and in some regions it is estimated now that over 90% of gliders carry the system and, in Switzerland, helicopters are also being equipped where the Flarm database of obstacles provides an obvious benefit. It is not just available for gliders but for all aircraft. Over 10,500 units are now in use.

Swiss Flarm comes in an integrated package and all in one box and merely requires connection to a power supply (12 - 28 v DC) to get it working.

Principal features:

Audio and visual warning if another Flarm equipped aircraft approaches on a collision course ( about 20 secs warning)
Visual information, without audio warning , of gliders in vicinity
Warning of approaching static obstacles (loading of relevant database reqd)
No configuration or distraction during flight
Intelligent motion prediction to minimise false alarms
Weight approx 120g § Box size 75 x 25 x 110 mm
Mounting by Velcro or two M5 bolts
Draws less than 45mA
Emissions 10 - 100 times lower than a mobile phone (Mobile phone 1/7 duty cycle; Flarm 1/100 duty cycle)
Micro SD card for data loading/unloading (not supplied)
Built in logger (non IGC)
Options available such as voice and intercom interface by other manufacturers (see www.flarm.com )

Click here for Swiss Flarm Update Procedure

Price £495.00 excluding VAT, £581.62 inc. VAT
Order Code: SWISS F

Quantity discounts:
5% for 6 units +
Larger quantities - discount by arrangement

These discounts are off the euro price for Swiss Flarm at the inter-bankt rate prevailing at the time of invoicing.

Quantity units must be in one single order to secure discounts

Option: Separate dipole antenna, 1.0m or 2.5m cable (as available)
Price: £26.00 excl VAT; £30.55 including VAT
Order Code: FDIPOLE

Upgrade to IGC approval

New units : add to new unit prices above as follows:

Upgrade Menu
IGC upgrade kit £62.00 excl VAT
IGC antenna adapter £10.00 excl VAT (only required if supplied toothstick antenna is not to be used and remote antenna used instead)
ENL upgrade set £98.00 excl VAT
plus for all upgrades:
Installation charge £15.00 excl VAT, plus BGA Calibration £15.00 excl VAT = £30.00 excl VAT in total

Examples: New Swiss Flarm with IGC Diamond approval and to use supplied toothstick antenna (ie: without antenna adapter)

£587.00 excl VAT: £689.72 incl VAT

New Swiss Flarm with IGC Diamond approval and ENL fitted and to use supplied toothstick antenna (ie: without antenna adapter)

£685.00 excl VAT; £804.87 incl VAT

New Swiss Flarm with IGC Diamond approval and ENL fitted and with antenna adapter (for use of remote antennas)
£695.00 excl VAT; £816.62 incl VAT

Older units upgrade : select from menu above and add £7 incl VAT for Special Delivery return.

Examples: Upgrade existing Swiss Flarm to have IGC approval without ENL and without antenna adapter

£92.00 excl VAT: £108.10 incl VAT (plus return Special Delivery)

Upgrade existing Swiss Flarm to have IGC approval, with ENL and with antenna adapter

£200.00 excl VAT: £235.00 incl VAT (plus return Special Delivery)

LX Navigation - licensed producer of the Flarm airborne proximity alert system

Flarm can be supplied as an integrated unit with the LX 7007
LX FLARM system screen display LX Flarm Graphical Display

Flarm screen display(left). Dual colour LED. Picture shown is approx 1.8 times larger than real size - actual size is 50 x 24 mm and about 4mm thick.
Flarm Graphical Display (right) actual size 55 x 40 x 15mm.

ALERT - all Red Box IGC users are requested to load version 4.07 from www.flarm.com . (The reason for this is given on the Flarm website).

LX Flarm "red box" - stand alone system

This unit was created for use in any glider and requires no interface with any other equipment; it is not in any way dependent on there being an existing LX product installed. Supplied complete it requires only a 12V, approx 50mA, power supply in order to function and the equipment does not require any panel space for installation. Unlike Swiss Flarm units, the LX version has the all the electronics in a small separate box that can be installed remote from the Flarm external display. The latter is dual colour and can be mounted on the instrument coaming or surface mounted on the panel.

The system is supplied with a GPS antenna and a dipole antenna that can be positioned where required.

System offers the same as Swiss Flarm but in a different configuration. The LX voice module can be added and the GPS in the Flarm can be used to provide a feed to other instruments by use of the appropriate splitter. The logger (currently non-IGC) is an option.

Models available:

Non IGC

Red Box Basic (no SD card, no logger)
£505.00 excl VAT; £593.37 incl VAT

Red Box Basic (no SD card, no logger, but Graphic Display)
£634.00 excl VAT; £744.95 incl VAT

Red Box Standard (with SD card and logger)
£548.00 excl VAT; £643.90 incl VAT

Red Box-G (with SD card and logger, but with Graphic Display).
£680.00 excl VAT; £799.00 incl VAT

IGC - all with SD Card

Red Box IGC
£599.00 excl VAT; £703.82 incl VAT

Red Box IGC G (graphic display)
£711.00 excl VAT; £835.42 incl VAT
Order Code: Order by model description

OPTIONS at time of order (most of these also apply to other LX Flarm systems)

Lamda/4 wave antenna with base reflector and 60 cm cable as option in lieu of dipole, add £23 excl VAT; £27.02 incl VAT
Reduction for not having Flarm External Display £71 excl VAT, £83.42 incl VAT
Lamda/4 antenna with 120mm base reflector in addition to supplied dipole £45.00 excl VAT; £52.87 incl VAT

RETROFIT
Add Logger (non IGC) with SD card to earlier non-logger versions of Red Box:
£80.00 excl VAT; £94.00 incl VAT, plus delivery to and from LX in Slovenia.

RETROFIT (IGC)
All upgrades to IGC have to be done at the LX factory.
Price for Red Box Standard upgrade to IGC is: -
£139.00 excl VAT, £163.32 incl VAT plus delivery to and from LX navigation in Slovenia.

LX Flarm Mini Box

A compact stand alone Flarm unit for coaming top installation

Overview
The unit has been designed as a compact and small Flarm compatible unit for mounting on the coaming above the instrument panel. There are no external parts to be connected or wired apart from the 12V power connector (6P telephone type) to the glider power supply. Flarm and navigation data can also be fed through the same connector; this makes it possible to connect secondary units, such as displays and PDAs, via suitable splitters. The version with an SD card interface also supports a flight recorder function and is an option. (Mini Box can also be supplied as IGC approved). The LEDs are dual colour (red and green) and offer precise information about nearby Flarm equipped gliders.

Features

Robust metal case
Very small; 53 x 29 x 83 mm
Dual colour LEDs
Capable of driving secondary Flarm displays, PDA and also LX Voice Module (via LX Flarm Splitter or Splitting Unit)
Three versions; one with SD card and flight recorder and one without and one with IGC approval
Dipole RF antenna as standard; other antenna types on request (add £10 plus VAT for stubby antenna as illustrated)
GPS antenna integral and fixed to the unit

Prices

Non IGC

SD card and Recorder Version £525.00 excl VAT; £616.87 incl VAT
(with stubby antenna £535 excl VAT; £628.62 incl VAT)

Basic Version £485.00 excl VAT; £569.87 incl VAT
(with stubby antenna £495 excl VAT; £581.62 incl VAT)

IGC

Mini Box with IGC, SD, Calibration
£575.00 excl VAT; £675.62 incl VAT
Order Code: Order by model description

Retrofit (IGC) Provisional

All upgrades to IGC have to be done at the LX factory.

Prices:

Mini Box Basic upgrade to IGC is:
£135.00 excl VAT, £158.62 incl VAT, plus delivery to and from LX navigation in Slovenia.

Mini Box SD Recorder Version upgrade to IGC is:
£105 excl VAT, £123.37 incl VAT, plus delivery to and from Slovenia.

IGC retrofit upgrades include calibration at LX factory.

LX Flarm Graphic Display

A high tech solution for your safety. Actual size is 55 x 40 x 15mm

Features

High resolution graphic display (128 x 128 dots)
Replaces conventional Flarm LED display (can be ordered in lieu of LED display at extra cost
Connectable to any Flarm unit via 6P telephone type connector; power and data
No external 12V necessary; it is powered by the Flarm
Practical layout; dimensions 55 x 40 x 15 mm; easy to install anywhere in the cockpit (can be surface mounted on the panel)
No instrument cut out necessary
All gliders within range are visible at the same time
Display of near glider IDs, incl their flight data
Two LEDs (one each red and green) as a status display
3 push buttons for easy manipulation and inputs
Buzzer for acoustic warning plus a big arrow on the screen as a visual warning
User friendly setup menu; allows many custom solutions

Technical Specifications

Firmware version: 1.0
Size: 55 x 40 x 15 mm
Weight: 38g

Price: £195.00 excl VAT: £229.12 incl VAT
Order Code: LX-F-GR-DISPL
Supplied with 0.5 m cable (RJ/RJ)
If purchased with another LX Flarm unit in lieu of LED display then extra price is £124.00 excl VAT; £145.70 incl VAT where no inclusive price is shown on this web site.

Flarm / LX 7007 / 8000 Integrated System

All LX 7007 and LX 8000 can be supplied new with LX Flarm integrated into the system and all existing LX 7007 can be upgraded to the LX7007F standard. When integrated the LX 7007 graphic display can show the relative positions of all nearby Flarm equipped aircraft in addition to the standard Flarm display. The Flarm electronics are installed within the LX 7007 / 8000 and only the Flarm display unit and the Flarm antenna need to be positioned externally. All LX 7000 can be upgraded to LX 7007 and then fitted with LX Flarm.

The configuration possibilities are as follows:

Click the image for a better view.

See Variometer Section for more information.

LX Flarm 57 Graphic Display Flarm in an all new 57mm unit with a graphic info display. Can be connected to any Flarm unit. Supplied with 0.5m cable (RJ/RJ) Price: £230.00 excl VAT; £270.25 incl VAT (Price is for the display only.)

Colibri–F Flight Recorder See the Flight Recorder Section

LX Flarm Accessories

Flarm External Display dual colour LED (including 60cm cable free on request)
£71.00 excl VAT; £83.42 incl VAT
Order Code: LX-F-E-DISPL

LX Flarm External Display for rear cockpit with long cable
£77.50 excl VAT; £91.06 incl VAT incl cable
Order Code: LX-F-E-DISPL-R

LX Flarm Graphic Display
£195.00 excl VAT; £229.12 incl VAT
Order Code: LX-F-GR-DISPL

LX Flarm Graphic Display Update Cable
£18.00 excl VAT, £21.15 incl VAT
Order Code: LX-F-GR-U-CBL

Voice module - see vario accessories.

AC Power supply with 232 port for Flarm update
£28.00 excl VAT; £32.90 incl VAT
Order Code: COL-AC-PC

LX Flarm Splitter (for 2 displays, 60cm and 2.5m cable)
£32.00 excl VAT; £37.60 incl VAT
Order Code: LX-FLARM-SPL

LX Flarm Splitting Unit (2 x external display output and 2 x PDA output, 60cm and 2.5m cable)
Order Code: LX-FLARM-SPL-UNIT
(plus you will need 2 x LX to iPAQ adapters – see iPAQ accessories section)
£45.00 excl VAT; £52.87 incl VAT

Casing for Flarm external display
£15.00 excl VAT;
£17.62 incl VAT
Order Code: DISPL-CASE

LX Flarm dipole antenna

£21.00 excl VAT; £24.67 incl VAT
Order Code: FDIPOLE

LX Flarm Display cables (with connectors fitted)
Long (2.5M) £7.50 excl VAT £8.81 incl VAT
Short (60cm) £3.00 excl VAT; £3.52 incl VAT

NEW Flarm Lamda/4 Antenna Flarm lamda/4 antenna (antenna length 85 mm), portable with base reflector (110 mm diameter), 60 cm cable. £45.00 excl VAT; £52.87 incl VAT

Swiss Flarm Update Cables for power/data
Price £16.64 excl VAT; £19.55 incl VAT