Applying open GIS solutions in glider competitions

Abstract

This research report concerns the real-time tracking of gliders in a competition. The objective of the research was to establish an open data exchange mechanism for real-time glider competition data. The research investigated different solutions including those of other, similar sports which utilize real-time tracking. The methodology consisted of several steps: interviews with developers and simulations using test flights. The results show that currently existing tracking systems are either too expensive to maintain or have too low coverage for gliding competition purposes. Suitable open GIS standards were investigated and several promising standards of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) were found, including well-known standards such as WMS and WFS but also standards that belong to the Aviation Information Management Branch. Lastly, standards of The World Air Sports Federation and the International Gliding Commission (FAI-IGC) were investigated but were not found useful due to compatibility issues with geographic information systems (GIS). The research also investigated the available glider tracking devices including Flarm and ADS-B transponders. The research concludes by envisioning an open data exchange mechanism as a new OGC standard which combines several of the previously mentioned standards. This standard is based on a gossip network architecture and makes use of the GSM network and a Raspberry Pi computer and is compatible with currently in-use devices on gliders.