LaunchReleaser
'LaunchReleaser' is a small app designed to be used as a training aid with Condor 2.
When practising recovery from launch failures you can just pull the release yourself - but it isn't really much of a surprise or a test. This app aims to recreate an instructor simulating a cable break/failure by pulling the release during your launch, without warning.
The app will generate an automated, randomised release signal based on user selections. This functionality is built into the DSGC Club simulator - the version of the app here enables pilots to practice launch failures on their own installation of Condor.
If you wish, you can use the LaunchReleaser in combination with the predefined scenarios (specifically 2A/B and 3A/B) on the Training Scenarios page of this site.
Winch launch Failures
Winch Failures are broken down into some familiar categories:
'High' Failures are high enough that you will require a turn / modified circuit to land back on the field.
'Awkward' height Failures will be in the territory where it's a harder call whether you land straight ahead or turn. The actual decision will of course depend on the particular conditions and the airfield in use.
'Low' Failures will normally end up with a straight ahead landing after recovery to your nominated approach speed.
'Very Low' Winch Failures will be after airborne, but before 50 Knots (~90 kmh) - putting the pilot in that awkward position of needing to float gently across the field to a safe landing with less than a safe approach speed (normally this is an Instructor demonstration in the BGA syllabus).
Aerotow Launch Failures
Aerotow failures should be in the range up to about 200 ft (~60 m). Above this it should be straightforward to make a 180 degree turn back to the field.
'High' Failures will be challenging - depending on the terrain around the airfield, these can really test your 'eventualities' briefing.
'Low' Failures in this category will usually require a prompt straight ahead landing on the field.
For either type of launch, the 'Any' selection will create a randomised test of your ability to fly a safe recovery and landing from any failure.
The App
The app uses predefined times (rather than data from the glider such as speed or height) to send the release signal. The times have been calibrated for the ASK21 training glider with a moderate ( 7 kt, ~13kmh ) headwind component.
It's written using a scripting language called AutoHotKey. Two versions are available - a single executable file (.exe), and a native AutoHotKey (.ahk) script which can be edited if desired. This second version will require AutoHotKey to be installed on your Condor PC.
Download the version you require, then once your virus checker has finished with it, simply save it to a convenient location.
To simulate a failure, the app sends an "R" signal to Condor - the default keyboard input for 'Release". Many users will have assigned this to a joystick button for convenience. The app is not able simulate Joystick button output, so to use the app in this case it's best to use a joystick mapping application - such as antimicro. It can be downloaded and set up very quickly. See the section on antimicro setup below.
If the standard LaunchReleaser settings do not suit your purpose - perhaps because of different wind conditions or a different / heavier glider - all the set points can be adjusted using the 'Configure' function in the app. It will require some experimentation, but you can refine and save the settings you want - these will then be saved in an 'ini' file.
To use the LaunchReleaser
The app is very simple to use.
First set up a suitable scenario in Condor 2 - with Winch or Aerotow launch selected as desired.
Start the app (double click on the icon) and it will present the main GUI. Make the radio button selection for the failure type you want, load the Condor flight , then when your pre-flight checks are complete, press 'Control + Space'. This will start the timer and also start the condor launch (the default launch start signal - 'Space' is sent to Condor). You will hear a beep - which confirms the timer is running.
The simulated cable break will occur ('R' is sent to Condor) - it's then up to you to follow your eventualities briefing and recover to a safe landing.
When you are ready for your next attempt you may recall (toggle) the GUI with 'Control + Alt'.
In Single player mode Condor requires to be restarted between attempts. To avoid this delay you may wish to set up a Multiplayer server (with one or many users), then use the app in the same way. In this case, you will need to start the timer (i.e. press 'Control + Space') immediately after you select "Restart" from the Condor flight exit menu.
Notes
One of the really useful things about Condor is that you can pause it (in Single player mode). You can, for instance, recover to your predesignated safe approach speed (which for example may be 55 knots on a normal day), then pause the sim and take a long look at the picture in front of you. Can you safely land ahead from there? When flying we must make these decisions almost instantly, but for training we can use this tool to develop an appreciation of the glider's energy and position - which we may later draw upon in real flight. When you have finished your assessment, you can unpause the sim, fly the approach and see if your judgement was correct.
As mentioned before, this app uses timed delays to produce each failure. It may be possible to use speed or height data from Condor as a reference for the failure trigger points, however this would require output via UDP or NMEA data - which would require the complication of an additional interface. The time based system used here is less precise, but makes a reasonable job of simulating an Instructor pulling the release at inconvenient moments.
Clearly at this stage there is no way to simulate 'gradual power failures' using Condor 2.
Depending on the elevation of the field in use, users may find it more convenient to set QFE / AGL rather than QNH / MSL as an altitude reference. The app will suggest changes at appropriate moments (use SETUP, OPTIONS, Altimeter Setting in Condor to change it as required).
Suggestions or feedback are welcome at goldenhawk77v@gmail.com .
Download
The app is available in two forms - one is the standalone .exe file, the other is an editable AutoHotKey script (which requires you to install AutoHotKey on your simulator PC).
Antimicro setup
Antimicro is very quick and easy to set up.
You can download it from https://sourceforge.net/projects/antimicro.mirror/
Run the installer package.
Ensure your joystick is connected, then double click the icon to run it.
You will see the GUI.
Let's say that you have assigned 'Start Flight' to button 7 on your joystick.
Similarly you have assigned 'Release' to button 11.
Use your mouse to click on Button 7: [NO KEY] on the GUI.
Another GUI appears.
Click on 'SPACE' on the GUI.
Note that you now see 'Button 7: SPACE' . Yes it's that simple.
Then click on Button 11, and select 'R' on the GUI in the same way.
That's it - the assignments are done!
Now at the top right select 'Save As' and give the settings a name. These settings will now be used when antimicro starts.
To ensure that antimicro runs when you need it, from the GUI you can select 'Options', then 'Settings'.
If you check the box 'Launch at Windows startup', it will. Check the box, click OK, then 'Save'.
All you need to do now is ensure the settings in Condor are set to the default settings for 'Start Flight' and 'Release''. You can of course do this for all your joystick assignments if you wish (and enables you to use both the joystick button OR the keyboard input as convenient).
In Condor, go to SETUP, INPUT, Assign Controls - then find 'Release'. Double click it then press R.
Find 'Start Flight', double click it and press SPACE.
And that's it, done. The LaunchReleaser will work with your installation of Condor, and you can still start flights and release normally using joystick buttons when desired.
