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NEW - Waiter's Flight Data Recorder User Forum
Waiter Flight Data Recorder Forum - I appologize for removing the Waiters Flight Data Recorder Forum! It was constantly being attacked by SPAMMERS and required constant maintenance to remove the occational SPAMMER who was able to get through.
Contact me via the e-mail if you have any questions or comments regarding the Flight Data Recorder.
Waiter
CURRENT VERSION - 3.3.16 19 OCT 2008
MAJOR, MAJOR Changes, You'll love it :-)
You can download the Latest Version and look at the manual here.
Scroll to the bottom of thispage to look at version information.
If you experience any problems, send me an e-mail.
How do you take data and fly an airplane? Waiters Flight Data Recorder!!!
 In the old days while flight testing LongEZ's, I'd use a kneepad and a
pencil. Now, I use a laptop computer secured in the back seat. I don't miss any
airspeeds, altitudes, oil temperatures, headings, etc, etc, etc. I have all
this data, plus much, much more, in a nice Tab Delimited file, that I can load into
any spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel) or text editor program.
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS:
Waiters Flight Data Recorder will run on any Windows compatible computer. Its
been tested on WinME, Win2K, WinXP, and Windows Vista..
HIGH CPU SPEED
Because of the high speed of the serial data coming from the
Dynon EFIS and
Dynon EMS units (115,000bps), I recommend a computer with a CPU speed
of at least 800Mhz. This will be required if you plan on datalogging both of
the Dynon units in the "Real Time" mode, at the same time. (The slow speeds of
the serial data stream from a GPS or a
Grand Rapids EMS will have negligible influence on CPU Speed
requirements.)
LOW CPU SPEED
The software and drivers have been optimized so that an older, slower laptop, can still
record all three instruments. This is possible by setting the screen refresh rates slightly slower to allow full speed serial port capturing.
In my testing, I used a Pentium III, 900 Mhz Dell GX150, I could record all three items (Dynon EFIS, Dynon EMS, and GPS) at real time intervals, with a screen refresh set at 250 milliseconds for the EFIS data screen (lower right) and 70 millisecond refresh rate for the EFIS screen Upper left).
The photo shows the three Flight Instrument screens and the Dynon EFIS data screen all displayed on a single monitor. The purpose of this was to place the highest load possible on the CPU (need to refresh all four screens). This test was on a Dell GX150, Pentium III, running at 900 Mhz. With these screens displayed, and receiving data from all three units, and capturing all three serial ports to a file. I was seeing a CPU loading of around 55%. Very, Very good.
FEATURES:
AVIATION STYLE FLIGHT DISPLAY INSTRUMENTS
Four new screens present the Pilot with information in a manner that their accoustomed to seeing; real live aviation instruments that display data real time.
SERIAL PORT CAPTURE
Serial port data from the EFIS, EMS and GPS can now be captured and stored, real time, without operator intervention. New files are created once per hour. Older files are automatically deleted as the cache size is reached (Cache size is user selectable). This is a flight data recorder that is always on and always captures the latest several hours of flight data.
FILE CONVERSION
Saved Capture files can be converted to a standard Tab delimited text file that can be read by any text editor, or loaded into Microsoft Excel. Captured Files generated from Waiters Flight Data Recorder, a Data Logger, or from a Dynon EMS can be converted.
REAL TIME CONVERSION
Real time conversion can receive serial data from three inputs, a Dynon EFIS, Dynon EMS or Grand Rapids EMS, and a standard GPS receiver. Then places this data in a single tab delimited file that can be read by any text editor, or loaded into Microsoft Excel for analysis.
The advantage of REAL TIME CONVERSION, all three serial data inputs are correlated against each other, real time. i.e. Each record in the file contains the current data readings for the EFIS, the EMS and the GPS.
FILE PLAYBACK
Saved Capture files can be played back and viewed on both the data screens AND on the aviation flight instrument screens. The operator can select any playback speed, i.e. one frame at a time, all the way up to near real time. (The speed at which the data was recorded)
DATALOG
Data is recorded in a tab delimited text file. This file can be viewed or
analyzed by any word processor or spreadsheet program (Excel). The User can
select what equipment to display and record. Waiter's Recorder will display and
record any combination of the compatible equipment.
SAMPLE TIME
Data Log samples can be recorded at user selectable times, from real time (64
times per second) to once every 30 seconds. A sample rate of 1 per second
should fill most users datalogging requirements. NOTE: In order to use the
"Real Time" or "1/4 Second" sample rates, a Dynon EFIS must be installed and
selected, Otherwise the "1 Second" sample rate is the fastest it will run.
DISPLAY UPDATE TIME
The EMS and GPS screens are automatically updated at the serial data rate, 1/4 second for the EMS and 1 per second for the GPS. However, the EFIS update times can be selected independently, from real time (65 times per second) to once per second. The rates defaut to 1/4 second for the data screen and 70 milliseconds (15 times per second) for the Aviation Instrument screen.
The slower update rates are almost imperceivable to the Pilot, but significantly improve the performance, particularly if the computer has a slower CPU speed.
EQUIPMENT
Waiters Flight Data Recorder will record data from any combination of the
following equipment:
GPS - Even if you don't have an EFIS or EMS, GPS will record altitude, speed,
heading, location, time, plus satellite tracking data. Set your GPS to output NMEA-0183 OR Garmin Proprietary NMEA sentence data.
Dynon EFIS D10,
D10A, D100 and the FlightDEK-D180 - Pitch, Roll, Yaw, Heading, Altitude, Turn rate, G force (vert and
horiz), Angle of Attack, etc. Record the data output stream at intervals YOU
select, as fast as 64 per second, or as slow as once every 30 seconds.
Dynon EMS-D10, EMS-D120 and the FlightDEK-D180 -
EGT/CHT, Oil Temp/Pres, Volts/Amps, RPM, Manifold Pressure, Fuel Flow/Pres/Qty,
Temperatures, etc
GRAND RAPIDS
2000/4000/6000 - Altitude, Airspeed, Rate of Climb, Heading, EGT/CHT, Oil Temp/Pres,
Volts, RPM, Fuel Flow/Pres/Qty, Temperatures Carb/Coolant/OAT/Unit, etc.
SCREEN SHOTS:
 This is the main screen. It displays all
EFIS and GPS data that is received. Its also shows the setup parameters, like
what serial ports are used, were the data is being stored, and the recording and display
time intervals.
Aviation Flight Instrument that resembles the Dynon EFIS display. Parameters can be customized for individual needs.
Aviation Flight Instrument that resembles the Dynon EMS display. Parameters can be customized for individual needs.
Aviation Flight Instrument that resembles the Dynon EMS display, but is taylored to the Grand Rapids. Parameters can be customized for individual needs.
Aviation Flight Instrument provides speed, heading, altitude, location, satelites used, etc.
 If you have a Dynon EMS10, and have it
selected to record, then the data will be continuously updated on this screen,
along with being recorded.
 If you have a
Grand Rapids 2000 / 4000 / 6000, and have it selected to record, then the data
will be continuously updated on this screen, along with being recorded.
 This is the serial port setup screen. A similiar screen is used for the EFIS, EMS and GPS
Serial port settings are configured, Serial port capture is set, and File playback mode is selected from this screen.
 This screen allow the pilot to customize the Dynon EFIS display for their particular aircraft, i.e. red lines, warnings, etc. NOTE - The settings on this screen are also applied to the GPS Aviation screen and the Grand Rapids Aviation screen.
 This screen allow the pilot to customize the Dynon EMS display for their particular aircraft, i.e. red lines, warnings, number of cylinders, etc.
 This is the Mode C setup screen. Corrections can be entered for altitudes up to 40,000 ft. Although the code is written, I still need to do the interface and testing with the hardware device.
This screen shows the common Garmin Serial Data sentenance data. An indicator light indicates if the sentence is being received and parsed correctly
This screen shows the common NMEA-0183 Serial Data sentenance data. An indicator light indicates if the sentence is being received and parsed correctly.
A nice feature for the SV sentenace is a graphical display that shows the relative position and signal strength of each of the satellites being received.
 This screen allow the pilot to review / delete or purge old data and capture files from the computer. Keep in mind, the computer will automatically delete older files when the maximum cache size has been reached (Cache size is configured on the RECORDER OPTIONS tab.
 This screen allow the pilot to customize how Waiters Flight Data Recorder will start. i.e. I want the EFIS display to show when the computers boots up, so I select EFIS on this screen.
ALSO - select the units that data will be displayed in.
NOTE - UNITS does NOT apply to the Grand Rapids - The Grand rapids serial data is already converted to the units that are selected in the Grand rapids unit, it impossible to know what these units are based solly on the serial stream.
 This screen allow the pilot to setup the method on how the Recorder will start and stop. It also is used to set up the maximum cache size (disk space) that will be set aside to store Recorder and Capture files.
NOTE - Serial Port Capture is different from Recorder - Remember, Serial Port capture writes raw serial port data to the disk, Recorder parses the data and places it in a tab delimited text file on the hard drive.
 When a file is played back, the operator can select individual records, or run the playback at variable speeds. Data that is played back is displayed on the data screen and also the Aviation flight instruments.
 This is the raw serial input page. You
can display the raw data for the EFIS, GPS, or the EMS monitor.
 This is the real time
HEX display for the
Grand Rapids data.
 This is the display for looking at the raw file data. Parsed data will display on the MAIN screen or the Dynon EMS screen, and the correspomding Aviation Flight Instrument screens
You are welcome to download and use this program. There is no charge. If you
plan on using it in a commercial venture, contact me.
PDF manual,
Download and review the manual.
Actual Data
File. A 1/2 hour flight in
Tony Kirk's Award winning RV6. Tony records a Dynon EFIS D10, a
Grand Rapids 4000, and a GPS during this short flight.
DOWNLOAD the
ZIP file. the ZIP file contains the Setup program, and the PDF manual.
DOWNLOAD DIFFICULTIES ???
There have been several reports of problems downloading files from this site.
It doesn't happen all the time, but seems to be more prevalient with those
going through a firewall and having somewhat intermittent connectivity (timing
issues?)
Goto DOWNLOAD PROBLEMS. I think one of
these two recommendations will get you the file your trying to download.
If you have any questions, observations, bugs, whatever, contact me.
Note the above is not a hyperlink, I've learned long ago not to post my e-mail
address in a form that is easily read by the crawlers.
IN THE WINGS
Currently working on / Planning the following additions to Waiters Flight Data Recorder.
MODE C
The code is already in the program, I just need to work out the hardware details. It will most likely use a USB interface similiar to the LabJack U3 interface.
AUTO PILOT
This will connect to a NavAids servo for roll and a Strong Pitch servo for pitch (altitude.) This will require an EFIS and can use heading information from the EFIS or the GPS. This will most likely use the same USB interface similiar to the LabJack U3 interface.
MICROSOFT Flight Simulator
I would love to save data in a format that could be read by FS. You could then playback your flight in FS. Would that be cool or what! Can anybody help with the FS format?
SHADIN and GARMIN Serial Format
GARMIN SERIAL FORMAT Added into Version 3.3.10.
The main reason for rewriting the serial port code was to allow for easy addition of new features. I'll be adding these two formats in the future.
ARINC 429 Serial Format
This is a little more difficult, but doable. I just don't want to spent the several hundred dollars to purchase a copy of the ARINC-429 format from the ARINC organization. Does anybody have information on this format???
VERSION INFORMATION
Waiter Flight Data Recorder Forum - I appologize for removing the Waiters Flight Data Recorder Forum! It was constantly being attacked by SPAMMERS and required constant maintenance to remove the occational SPAMMER who was able to get through.
Contact me via the e-mail if you have any questions or comments regarding the Flight Data Recorder.
Waiter
Waiters GPS Set Time program.
Waiters Flight Data Recorder.
Flight Data Recorder.
Recording aircraft flight data.
Aircraft Voice recorder.
Garmin GPS.
Garmin GPS Serial data Format.
Recording EFIS data.
Capture Serial data.
Convert Raw Data Files.
Free GPS Software.
Reading GPS data.
Reading Garmin GPS data.
Aircraft EFIS Flight Instruments.
Electronic Flight Instruments.
Aircraft Engine Monitor System.
Garmin G format.
Infinity landing gear LongEZ Plans Built Airplane.
Oil Heat system for Homebuilt airplane.
LongEZ Canard and main Wing.
Dynon instrument panel.
Custom Mouse cursors.
Garmin Serial Data Format.
Easy, Free Computer Time setting by GPS Receiver.
Custom mouse pointers.
Custom airplane mouse pointers.
LongEZ Nose gear doors.
Long-EZ main landing gear doors.
LongEZ grasscutter landing gear door.
Custom LongEZ mouse pointers.
Lycoming engine in LongEZ.
MT Propellor with 6 inch propellor extension.
EZNose Lift retractable nose gear for Long-EZ.
Rutan LongEZ is a plans built aircraft.
High speed homebuilt airplane.
Retractable landing gear for LongEZ.
Custom Airbus mouse cursor pointer.
Custom Velocity mouse cursor pointer.
NMEA 0183 Serial data Format.
Custom Cozy mouse cursor pointer.
Custom Aerocanard airplane mouse cursor pointer.
Custom E-Racer mouse cursor pointer.
Custom Canard airplane mouse cursor pointer.
Custom LongEZ mouse cursor pointer.
Set your Computer clock with this free GPS software.
Custom F15 mouse cursor pointer.
Custom A10 Warthog mouse cursor pointer.
LongEZ Hydraulic pump.
Retractable landing gear for a Long-EZ.
Custom F16 mouse cursor pointer.
Custom F14 mouse cursor pointer.
Custom Boeing 747 mouse cursor pointer.
Custom Boeing 767 mouse cursor pointer.
Custom Boeing 777 mouse cursor pointer.
Custom Boeing 737 mouse cursor pointer.
GPS Time Sync.
Custom Boeing 727 mouse cursor pointer.
Landing gear door rigging.
Custom Boeing 757 mouse cursor pointer.
Custom MD80 mouse cursor pointer.
Custom DC9 mouse cursor pointer.
Setting your computer to a GPS Time.
Custom RV mouse cursor pointer.
Downdraft cooling for LongEZ.
Speed brake installation.
Waiters Flight Data Recorder.
LongEZ Baggage pods installation instructions.
Waiters Custom Airplane mouse cursors.
Free GPS Time Sync Program.
LongEZ Intercom installation.
Major airframe overhaul of plans built EZ.
Weight and balance for a LongEZ.
Weight and Balance spreadsheet download for a Long-EZ.
LongEZ fuel system design.
How To remove the wings from a LongEZ.
How To remove the canard from a LongEZ.
Waiters GPS Time sync program runs on PC.
How To remove the engine from a LongEZ.
Long-EZ Downdraft cooling for a Lycoming O-320.
Long-EZ Wing Removal and installation instructions.
Waiters Retractable Landing Gear Controller.
Landing Light installation in LongEZ.
Install free EFIS software on your PC.
How to Put several longezs in one hangar.
How to install an Infinity Aerospace Retractable landing gear in a Long-EZ.
How to install DownDraft cooling on a Long-EZ.
GPS Time.
Setting you computer clock to GPS time.
How to set your Computer clock to GPS Time.
Using your GPS Receiver to set your computers clock.
Low cost GPS receiver used to syncronize Computer clock to GPS time.
Neat Canopy stay system for an EZ.
Cabin Heat using engine oil as source.
Waiters GPS Time, Syncronize your PCs internal clock with the GPS satellite.
Remote display of EFIS on a PC.
Cabin Oil Heater for a LongEZ.
LongEZ Landing Gear Door.
Rigging a LongEZ Landing Gear door.
Icom Radio in LongEZ.
How to Build a Manometer.
LongEZ Electrical system upgrades.
Grand Rapids EMS.
Custom Windows cursors.
Custom Windows mouse pointers.
LongEZ Cowling for downdraft cooling.
Record holding LongEZ flights.
Using a PLC for a retractable Landing Gear Controller in a LongEZ.
Syncronize your PCs clock to a GPS receiver.
Airspeed vs pressure lookup tables.
How to build a homebuilt airplane.
Video of LongEZ taking off.
Grasscutter landing gear door.
EZ Nose Lift installation.
Landing Gear status indicator.
Shareware software can set your PC clock vie a GPS receiver.
Landing Gear controller computer for LongEZ.
Landing gear doors.
Dynon EMS10 installed in instrument panel of a LongEZ.
Dynon EFIS D10A installed in instrument panel of a LongEZ.
Flight Data Recorder Software.
PlansBuilt LongEZ.
Video of High G turn in a Long EZ.
Strong Pitch Trim system installed in a LongEZ.
Strong Pitch Trim mounted on Left Side of Long-EZ.
Free software sets your PC clock with a GPS receiver.
Video of LongEZ Taking off.
Video of LongEZ Landing.
Video of LongEZ performing a high G turn.
Video of Infinity Landing gear being retracted into a LongEZ.
LongEZ Color White.
Painting your LongEZ.
White LongEZ.
Camoflage LongEZ.
Infinity Landing Gear for LongEZ.
Strong Pitch system.
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In my testing, I used a Pentium III, 900 Mhz Dell GX150, I could record all three items (Dynon EFIS, Dynon EMS, and GPS) at real time intervals, with a screen refresh set at 250 milliseconds for the EFIS data screen (lower right) and 70 millisecond refresh rate for the EFIS screen Upper left).
Aviation Flight Instrument that resembles the Dynon EFIS display. Parameters can be customized for individual needs.
Aviation Flight Instrument that resembles the Dynon EMS display. Parameters can be customized for individual needs.
Aviation Flight Instrument that resembles the Dynon EMS display, but is taylored to the Grand Rapids. Parameters can be customized for individual needs.
If you have a Dynon EMS10, and have it
selected to record, then the data will be continuously updated on this screen,
along with being recorded.
If you have a
Grand Rapids 2000 / 4000 / 6000, and have it selected to record, then the data
will be continuously updated on this screen, along with being recorded.
This is the serial port setup screen. A similiar screen is used for the EFIS, EMS and GPS
Serial port settings are configured, Serial port capture is set, and File playback mode is selected from this screen.
This screen allow the pilot to customize the Dynon EFIS display for their particular aircraft, i.e. red lines, warnings, etc. NOTE - The settings on this screen are also applied to the GPS Aviation screen and the Grand Rapids Aviation screen.
This screen allow the pilot to customize the Dynon EMS display for their particular aircraft, i.e. red lines, warnings, number of cylinders, etc.
This is the Mode C setup screen. Corrections can be entered for altitudes up to 40,000 ft. Although the code is written, I still need to do the interface and testing with the hardware device.
This screen shows the common Garmin Serial Data sentenance data. An indicator light indicates if the sentence is being received and parsed correctly
This screen shows the common NMEA-0183 Serial Data sentenance data. An indicator light indicates if the sentence is being received and parsed correctly.
This screen allow the pilot to review / delete or purge old data and capture files from the computer. Keep in mind, the computer will automatically delete older files when the maximum cache size has been reached (Cache size is configured on the RECORDER OPTIONS tab.
This screen allow the pilot to customize how Waiters Flight Data Recorder will start. i.e. I want the EFIS display to show when the computers boots up, so I select EFIS on this screen.
ALSO - select the units that data will be displayed in.
NOTE - UNITS does NOT apply to the Grand Rapids - The Grand rapids serial data is already converted to the units that are selected in the Grand rapids unit, it impossible to know what these units are based solly on the serial stream.
This screen allow the pilot to setup the method on how the Recorder will start and stop. It also is used to set up the maximum cache size (disk space) that will be set aside to store Recorder and Capture files.
NOTE - Serial Port Capture is different from Recorder - Remember, Serial Port capture writes raw serial port data to the disk, Recorder parses the data and places it in a tab delimited text file on the hard drive.
When a file is played back, the operator can select individual records, or run the playback at variable speeds. Data that is played back is displayed on the data screen and also the Aviation flight instruments.
This is the raw serial input page. You
can display the raw data for the EFIS, GPS, or the EMS monitor.
This is the real time
HEX display for the
Grand Rapids data.
This is the display for looking at the raw file data. Parsed data will display on the MAIN screen or the Dynon EMS screen, and the correspomding Aviation Flight Instrument screens
