CoTaCo

Automated task conversion from Condor

CoTaCo is a clever piece of software by Marc Till. It will initialise XCSoar to run with all the information you need for today's task - if you set it up correctly.

CoTaCo will convert Condor ".fpl" flight plans into ".tsk" task files for use in XCSoar. It will also save other relevant information to a 'profile'.

You can automate the start of XCSoar as described here.

CoTaCo

Download the latest version of CoTaCo from https://condorutill.fr/ .

Extract all the files to your preferred folder (Documents/Condor/CoTaCo recommended - no subfolder).

Create a shortcut to the CoTaCo application (CoTaCo.exe) and place it on your Desktop. Ensure the name is "Shortcut to CoTaCo".

When you first run CoTaCo, it needs to know where to find and put information.

It will ask you where to output files to - this will be your " \Documents\XCSoarData" folder.

And it needs to know where your Condor flightplans are - this will be your " \Documents\Condor\FlightPlans" folder.

A 'Configuration Settings' file 'CoTaCo.ini' is created when CoTaCo first runs, and placed in the CoTaCo folder.

If it helps, you can make the 'file name extensions' visible by selecting this item in the File Explorer View menu.

You need to edit the CoTaCo.ini file with your preferences. Open it with Notepad, then make the following changes (the bold text below):

# Target software (XCSoar/LK8000 - default=XCSoar)
Target=XCSoar

# path to Condor 2 installation folder
Condor 2 Path=[where it is on your PC]\Condor2

# destination path (folder or filename) for the converted tasks
Destination Path=[where Documents are on your PC]\Documents\XCSoarData

# AAT mode (0=no,default ; 1=yes ; 2=auto-detect) :
AAT=2

# Suppress summary end message 0/1, default=0
Silent=0

# Default Files
# XCSoar: copy task to Default.tsk (0/1)
# LK8000: (0/1/2) 1=overwrite all default files, 2=write all files with specified outfile name
Write Default Files=1

# Polars and maps are stored in a specific folder (Polars resp. Maps)(XCSoar only)
0=none, 1=Polars, 2=Maps, 3=Polars and maps
Use Polars folder=3

# Profile file (name or 0=NO - default=Condor.prf) :
Profile file=Default.prf

# Default path for flightplans
Flightplans path=[where Documents are on your PC]\Documents\Condor\FlightPlans

Save the changes. CoTaCo is now ready to operate automatically.

XCSoar

Download and other details are available on the XCSoar page. It's convenient to install XCSoar on your Desktop.

When XCSoar first runs it creates a new folder - " \Documents\XCSoarData"

For simplest operation, only keep the minimum number of files in this XCSoarData folder. You can always recreate any task file you need in moments. You can regularly clear out old task files.

Polars

Create a 'polars' subfolder under the XCSoarData folder.

Download the latest set of polar curves from M Till's site (Polars for XCSoar and LK8000, https://condorutill.fr/)

Place all the unzipped polar files in this folder - " \Documents\XCSoarData\polars"

Overwrite them when there is a Condor Hanger Update, by repeating the download and unzipping process with the new data.

Maps

Create a 'maps' folder also under XCSoarData.

Download maps as desired from from https://www.xcsoar.org/download/maps/ .

ALPS_HIRES covers all of AA2 and Slovenia, UK_HIRES covers all the UK sceneries. There are many more, and there is also a map generator if needed.

Place downloaded files within this folder - " \Documents\XCSoarData\maps"

The Automatic Magic

For simplest, automatic setup, we want XCSoar to use the name 'Default' for tasks (Default.tsk) and 'Default' for profiles (Default.prf). It will overwrite these files each time it runs - but that's fine.

Note that within your " \Documents\XCSoarData" folder, there is a "Default.prf" profile file ('PICS Rules File' Windows file type).

If you do see a .prf file (PICS Rules File), with another name, copy it and rename that copy ‘Default.prf’

*** Move all other files than those shown above to a backup folder.

Now open Condor 2.

Open or create a flight plan in Condor, select the glider you wish to use, then save this flight with a convenient name - this creates a Condor ".fpl" file.

Now open a file explorer window and 'Drag and Drop' - drag this .fpl file over the shortcut to CoTaCo - CoTaCo will then run using it.

If CoTaCo doesn't know what map file relates to the task's scenery yet it will ask you to find the map in XCSoarData/maps (assuming you already have the right map there).

If things work correctly, CoTaCo should write the Default.tsk file and the Default.prf. It will say in a dialog box which files have been written.

IF there is only one profile file in the XCSoarData folder, AND it is called "Default.prf", then XCSoar will start and load data automatically. If not, you need to return to *** above.

When you double click on XCSoar to run, the Default.prf will automatically load - it defines:

- the map file to be loaded

- the waypoints file (if any)

- the task airspace files (penalty zones - if any)

- the selected glider's polar

The Default.tsk will automatically load as the active task.

Note! XCSoar must be not be running when you run CoTaCo. Only run XCSoar when CoTaCo has finished the conversion.

If, when XCSoar starts, it shows 'Condor.prf' above the 'Continue' button, it means there is another profile file in XCSoarData. You can click on the filename and change the selection to Default.prf.

For easiest launching, just remove any other .prf files from XCSoarData, as above.

This is by far the quickest and easiest method to prepare for a Condor flight with XCSoar. The only remaining thing to do is add the quantity of water ballast you have, if any - XCSoar does not allow this to be done automatically.

The 'CoTaCoRun' script can assist with running the latest Condor flight plan file saved - see Pre-flight Setup .

Note - you can also create a tasks subfolder, but this seems to interfere with the loading of Default files - so it's not recommended.