The SkyAssistant variometer is a small on-board instrument which indicates the R/C model's vertical speed by an audible signal. Lift is indicated by a pulsed tone with rate and frequency of the pulses depending on the climb rate. Sink is indicated by a low, continuous tone depending on the sink rate.

Audible signal and voice messages about model state are transmitted by built-in radio transmitter and can be received on standard LPD or UHF CB (Australian version).


Package includes:

SkyAssistant in transparent heat shrink tubing,
MiniUSB cable,
Temperature sensor on 17cm long cable (you can choose other length),
Printed user manual in English languages:
LT Software and USB driver on USB FlashDrive (PQI 2GB).


Nozzle - equiped with sensor with nozzle
device height: 13 mm
sensor protruding, not preserved from sunlight
availabile to connect TEK probe


FAQ
Q: How can I change the language of my variometer from XX to YY?
A: Should be changed 2 things:
- firmware containing support of gramatic rules for selected language. In compressed ZIP file with firmware is several vario_xx.afv files, where xx is country code. In case of english firmware are 2 files: vario_en_m.afv with metric units and vario_en_i.afv with imperial units. Firmware is stored into variometer by "Configuration: -> "Update firmware..." command from the vario application menu.
- samples containing recorded lector voice packed into files with SAW extension. Samples are stored ito variometer by "Samples" -> "Save on SkyAssistant" command.
The language of firmware and samples have to be the same.
In vario.exe application you can change language by "Configuration" -> "Choose language and units" command. After changing, application should be closed and started again.


Q: How can I change the metric version to imperial in my variometer?
A: Support of imperial units is implemented only in english firmware version (vario_en_i.afv file). It will change temperature units, storing logs in imperial units and the vario will be recognized by software as imperial. To full change you also should change set of A&B coefficients used to linearise altitude and some other values in EEPROM like altutude ant temperature alarm theshold values. The simplest method to do it, is reset values to default, factory values after changing firmware. The resetting algorithm check type of units and restore correct set of data. The same way is used to change from imperial to metric units. Independently form firmware version in vario.exe application dispayning units can be forced to metric or imperial units using menu command: "Configuration" -> "Choose language and units".


Q: Can I measure voltage of my 3S Lipo battery, instead voltage from BEC?
A: Yes. From the SkyAssistant "servo" connector pull out the red wire and connect it directly to the + of the battery. Variometer will be powered from batteryand will measure and report it's voltage. The yelow and black vires should be connected to the receiver so variometer still wil have possibility to measure PPM signal.


Q: Can I measure voltage of my 4S (or more) Lipo battery, instead voltage from BEC?
A: I am sorry, not dirctly. SkyAssistant can be powered with voltages up to 13V. Higher voltage will activate overvoltage protection (13V transil and polymer fuse) and disconnect variometer from power. You can connect variometer to 4S cell vith additional 3 serial silicon diodes. Every silicon (not Schottky!) diode give 0,6V drop. Remember that also raported voltage will be decreased by 3x0,6V.



Q: My temperature sensor produce glitches on the graph or generate wrong temperature communcates
A: First part of sensors can have problem with connection between wire and metal contact in sensor plug. It case of problem i will replace sensor to new one, or if you can solder, take away black heat shrinked tube, pull out wires with metal connectors from the plug and put little drop of melted tin with flux on every connection.


Customising the Unit
Almost all of the parameters of the Vario can be changed including the sensitivity of the readings and the number of announcements per period of time. The ability to change the sensitivity of Various functions in the PitLab SkyAssistant makes this unit as one of the most sophisticated R/C varios available to aeromodelers. This capability ensures that you can fine tune the SkyAssistant to individual model characteristics and your flying style to a much greater extent than was previously possible. (Sorry , it will not fix your flying skills, but it might help sharpen them!)

The SkyAssistant's compact footprint and 18gm weight ensure that it can be installed into virtually any R/C model. This means that the SkyAssistant's comprehensive features can be used to help with setup and trimming of competition gliders as well as the traditional use with scale sailplanes.

Ok, so you mess round with all of the settings and nothing seems to be working properly any more - no problem simply reset the unit to its defaults and have another go at developing your customised settings.

ROM updates
A key feature that is often missing in off the shelf Varios is the ability to update the unit's software without the need to return it to the factory. The SkyAssistant comes with management software that incorporates a very simple user interface which ensures that the user update process is very straight forward. So when PitLab do some updates to the unit�s software, or provide new software features, you can easily add it to your product without having to send your unit back for reprogramming. This is a significant feature from my perspective as it increases the longevity of the unit and gives you much greater value for money. Some of the 2.4 receiver manufacturers could learn from this business model instead of protecting their intellectual property at the end user�s cost! (Sorry � getting off my box).

Keep a graph of your flight.
As previously mentioned, once you have set your parameters, had your flight and landed, you can review the flight by importing the log data into the data analysis program. The result is a neat graphical representation of your captured data and the program also allows you to change some of the view settings to see exactly what you need.

I personally was very surprised by just one thing, the voltage draw down on my DG303 when I deployed the wheel, flaps and airbrakes. It was much greater than I had imagined and I would hate to see the same model�s voltage drop with a single four cell pack!


Being able to change the rate of logging means that you can control the accuracy of log data over time while changing the amount of memory used by the log data - the higher the sample rate, the higher the amount memory required. An example is that when looking at voltage spikes due to servo loads, high sample rates are required. The SkyAssistant can sample down to 50ms making it a very accurate sample rate.

Radio receiver - the only one compatible in Australia! PitLab have recently added the capability to utilize Australian UHF CB frequencies (thanks to Model Flight). This means that you don't have to purchase specialized 433Mhz receiver as any of the standard hand held UHF CB radios will work with the SkyAssistant. For more info on this see the following forum note: http://www.pitlab.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=260

English Manual