Vector Vario Analyzer

VVA_03
VVA_05
VVA_04
VVA_02

This software was developed to fully leverage the data recorded by the Vector Vario in its enriched files (IGC+ format).
It enables a very high level of scientific flight analysis, along with in-depth discussions around the data and their interpretation.

This software was independently developed by Félix (a field operations engineer for remote environments).
He began this project during one of his recent missions in Antarctica, where he wrote the very first lines of code.

The different parts of the software:
  1. Data import
  2. Time series
  3. Map explorer
  4. Polar curve analysis
  5. Skew-T diagram
Download

Check our updates page to see the changelog.

Support

You can support Félix's work and the future development of this software by buying him a coffee😉
https://buymeacoffee.com/thegoodweather

Questions

Félix is developing this project in his spare time!
He (and we) will do our best to answer your questions, but we cannot provide full-time support.
Please use this dedicated Discord channel to ask your questions.

Software Overview

The first step is to import your files:

1 - Drag and drop your IGC files into the left area 1 – Drop IGC or CSV files here ;
2 – Properly imported files will be added to the list of flights already saved in the software, in the section 2 – Select flights ;
3 - Click on the button 3 – Analyze flights at the bottom of the window to analyze the selected flights. Once the import is completed, the other tabs of the software (visible at the top of the window) become accessible. 

Notes:

  • Successfully imported files are saved in a local folder of the software, along with all parameters modified during the analysis of each flight.
  • In a new session, simply select the flights already imported into the software (steps 2 and 3) to continue their analysis.
  • If you analyze multiple flights at the same time, it is recommended to assign them an alias (last column in the table of section 2 – Select flights). If an alias is defined, it will be used instead of the file name to identify the flight.
  • From this tab, you can also export the selected flights in KML format (button Export flights as .kml) or CSV (button Export flights as .csv) to continue the analysis with other software.

The Time Series tab allows you to plot each parameter recorded in the IGC+ file.
Two separate figures (top and bottom) are available to display and compare different parameters:

  1. Select the flight from the imported flights using the Flight to display dropdown menu at the top right;
  2. Select the parameters to display from the tables Available variables for plot 1 and 2.

Notes: 

  • Multiple variables can be displayed on the same graph if they share the same unit.
  • Pour afficher en même temps plusieurs variables ayant des unités différentes, use the 2 graphs.
  • The X-axis link option between the two tables synchronizes the X-axis (time) between the two figures.
  • Units can be modified via the menu Preferences > Units.
List of Available Parameters

Parameters directly recorded in the IGC+ file:

  • Latitude
  • Longitude
  • GNSS altitude
  • Pressure altitude
  • Compass heading
  • Pitch
  • Roll
  • G-force
  • Air temperature
  • Relative humidity
  • Wind origin
  • Wind speed
  • Netto
  • IAS (Indicated Airspeed)

Parameters calculated from the original recorded parameters:

  • GNSS speed
  • GNSS heading
  • Vario
  • Static pressure
  • Saturation vapor
  • Vapor pressure
  • Mixing ratio
  • Dew point
  • Cloud base
  • Potential temperature
  • Air density
  • Vario IAS
  • TAS (True Airspeed)
Mouse controls
  • Left click: move the plot.
  • Right click + drag (up/down or left/right): zoom independently on the X or Y axis.
  • Scroll wheel: zoom in/out.
  • Click on a point of a curve: display detailed information about that point in the tables on the right.

For a cartographic display of the data:

  1. Select the flights to be displayed simultaneously from the list at the top right (Display) ;
  2. Optionally, choose in the Color mapping dropdown the variable used to color the displayed tracks. You can adjust the color scale limits by modifying the values of Level min and Level max.
  3. Optionnally, add wind barbs to the displayed tracks by checking Wind barbs. Their density and size can be adjusted using the Density and Sizesliders. Note that wind barbs here behave like wool threads carried by the windand do not indicate the wind’s origin.
  4. Optionally, show or hide the Background Map.

Notes:

  • Clicking on a point along the trajectory displays the value of each variable corresponding to that point in the table on the right. 
  • An internet connection is required to load the map background (OpenStreetMap).
Mouse controls
  • Left click + drag: move the map
  • Scroll wheel: zoom
  • Right click + drag up/down: zoom

In flight:

  • Perform flights in stable, windless conditions;
  • Maintain a given flight regime (hands up / accelerated / braked) for more than 20 seconds;
  • Keep the pilot position and harness identical between measurements (within the same flight and between flights) so that the data can be comparable.

To analyze the data:

  1. Select the flight to display from the list of imported flights (Flights dropdown menu).
  2. Select the variable GNSS Altitude (default) or IAS (Indicated Airspeed) to display in the upper graph. This graph is used to select the different parts of the flight to be studied.
  3. Click Add polar point at the bottom left of the window. This will add a shaded area on the graph, which can be adjusted and moved. Airspeed (Vx) and vertical speed (Vz) data from this area are averaged into a single point, which is added to the table at the bottom left and the graph at the bottom right.
  4. Repeat the selection for additional points.
  5. Add the theoretical polar curve to the bottom-right graph by checking Display generated polar.
  6. Enter the theoretical parameters as defined on your Vector Vario to plot the curve used in flight.
Mouse controls
To display data on the Skew-Tdiagram :
  1. Select the flight from the imported flights (Flights dropdown menu).
  2. Select the variable to display in the upper graph. This graph helps you choose the data range of interest. It is possible to display all existing variables on this graph.
  3. Move and adjust the selection area (grey zone), which defines the portion of the flight data displayed on the Skew-T diagram.
  4. Optionally, you can activate the Thermal Gradient Calculator, which computes the temperature gradient between two movable points appearing on the temperature profile. The color of the line connecting these two points indicates atmospheric stability.

Notes:

  • Keep in mind the spatial and temporal nature of the data, and consider the relevance of combining measurements taken at different times and/or locations.
  • The data may also include a mix of measurements from adiabatic conditions (e.g., during passage through a thermal) and from the surrounding atmosphere.
Mouse controls