CAMBRIDGE INSTRUMENTS

Introducing Cambridge Aero Instruments' New 300 Series Soaring Instrumentation Systems

Cambridge Aero Instruments is pleased to introduce the 300 Series, a completely new vario sensor technology platform for soaring instrumentation. The 300 Series of instruments redefines soaring flight systems. They are faster, smaller, better featured and more economical. The technology builds upon Cambridge's successful CAI GPS Datalogger and CAI Pocket-NAV navigational display with a state-of-the-art, revolutionary variometer sensor platform. The 300 Series integrates those systems with a new level of flexibility that will enable the 300 Series to be adaptable and upgradable for many years to come. Cambridge has designed an instrument family that combines varios with near instantaneous response, lower complete system cost, economical upgrade options and minimum instrument panel space requirement.

The 300 Series family is comprised of four systems:

Model 301 System:

Variometer , CPU Module, Altimeter, Audio and Speed-to-Fly
(complete system would also include a CAI M-20/25 GPS Receiver and Flight Recorder and a controller such as the Model 303 LCD Controller or the Model 304 Pocket-NAV)

	+		OR
M-20/25 GPS Receiver		M-303		Pocket-NAV

Model 302 System:

Variometer , CPU Module, Altimeter, Audio and Speed-to-Fly (same as 301) + GPS Receiver and Flight Recorder mounted on the CPU PC board (complete system would also include a controller such as the CAI Model 303 LCD Controller or the CAI Model 304 Pocket-NAV). Mounting the GPS engine to the PC board allows a $400 addition to do what a CAI M-20 does for $1100! The 302 is a complete FAI-approved Flight Recorder, including barograph and engine run detection functions. An optional, external backup battery provides more than one hour of operation, including flight recording, if the glider battery fails.

+		OR
	M-303		Pocket-NAV

Model 303 System:

		+
	M-303		M-301 / 302

Model 304 System:

Complete Pocket-NAV Graphic Display System

The 304 consists of a Compaq 1500 Series monochrome Pocket-PC, a universal instrument panel mount, a compact flash card for storage of the Pocket-NAV program and Flight Recordings, and software activation fee for the 302 Flight Recorder.

The new 300 Series differs from previous systems by four important points:

1. The 300 Series is a flexible system that uses existing CAI instruments

The 300 Series starts with a new central Variometer , CPU Module, Altimeter, Audio and Speed-to-Fly Instrument and allows several combinations of existing support Cambridge instruments to interface with it. A pilot can start with the Model 301 and use his CAI GPS-NAV as a controller (with the Model 303 upgrade) and his CAI M 20/25 as his GPS Receiver and Flight Recorder. Future upgrades can include the CAI Pocket-NAV and for an even smaller panel system the Model 302. This flexibility philosophy is designed in for future advancement introductions.

2. The 300 Series variometer is up to 6 times faster.

The 300 Series variometer is implemented with digital differentiators

and smart filtering exclusive to Cambridge Instruments. Prototype systems were flown in 1999 with impressive results. The audio indication accurately tracks the "feel-of-the-air" as experienced by the pilot's sense of vertical acceleration which is what a pilot feels in the "seat-of-the-pants."

Since Wil Schuemann's research in the early 1970s, all varios have used either 1.25 or 1.5 second averaging of all signals to obtain a "quiet needle" in the vario. Instead of averaging all signals (2 knot thermal + 12 knot gust + 2 knot thermal = 5.33 knot indicated lift) the 300 Series variometer analyses every signal received with the microprocessor and rejects gusts (2 knot thermal + 12 knot gust + 2 knot thermal = 2 knot indicated lift). Gusts are common in turbulent thermals and older varios that attempt to average inputs faster than .75 seconds result in twitchy needles that are unusable. The lift indicated by the 300 Series is almost exactly where you are, not 1.5 seconds behind you.

3. The 300 Series is more economical.

The Model 303 system offers full 300 Series functionality at $2,550. The Model 303 Series system is $1,750. lower in price than a comparable CAI L-NAV system.

A fully optioned 300 Series system is only $3,200. The Model 302 System with the Model 304 Pocket-NAV is $1,100 lower in price than a comparable CAI L-NAV system.

4. The 300 Series takes up less panel space.

The Models 301 and 302 are housed in a 57 mm diameter package. They combine an altimeter, a pressure transducer vario with mechanical pointer and audio, averager, speed-to-fly indicators, and a sensitive 2-axis accelerometer. It is now possible to mount an entire computer, GPS receiver and data recorder, vario system into one 2.25" instrument panel hole. The Pocket-NAV computer mount requires only a 1" square mounting area on the edge of your panel or cockpit.

300 Series Design Features:

The Model 301/302 LCD high contrast display includes a mechanical variometer needle and large altimeter, average climb, averager trend, and MacCready setting readouts, and speed-to-fly. The Model 301/302 has an internal barograph sensor, engine-run microphone and electronic "seal." Pressure transducers are used for altimeter and airspeed. A 2-axis accelerometer supplements the pressure sensors. An outside air temperature probe is standard and a loudspeaker is included within the 5.5 inch (140 mm) long package. The 301 is compatible with the Cambridge GPS-NAV FAI-approved secure flight recorder or handheld GPS receivers. The 301 also includes complete landing gear and dive brake warning functions. All other navigation, performance, and glide information is displayed on the Model 303 LCD Controller or the Model 304 Pocket-NAV screens.

The only physical difference between the Models 301 and 302 is the

addition of a PC board mounted GPS Receiver and Flight Recorder. The Model 302 will have the ability to store a minimum of 2000 waypoints.

The Models 301/302 are optimized for use with the Model 304 Pocket-NAV moving map software. Wind and final glide calculations are shown on the Model 304 Pocket-NAV or the Model 303 Display. Flight logs can originate in a Cambridge GPS-NAV Secure flight recorder (Model 10,20, or 25), or the Model 302, and can be transferred to the CAI Pocket-NAV. The Model 304 Pocket-NAV can also write the flight log to a Compact Flash card for transport to a contest scorer or badge evaluation computer. The Compact Flash card works just like a floppy disk, but is much smaller and has much higher storage capacity. When gliding near restricted airspace the Model 304 Pocket-NAV moving map and its display of Special Use Airspace (SUA) may be a necessity.

The Model 303 system is intended for individuals, clubs or rental fleets that find the additional Model 304 Pocket-NAV system is too much of an investment, too vulnerable or too complex with its required Windows CE programming skills. The Model 303 displays turnpoint name, distance, and final glide altitude on the display.

Future products within the 300 Series include a Cambridge-designed panel mount Graphic Display. This product will use the same high-resolution LCD screen as the Model 304 Pocket-NAV. Variometer and Graphic Display repeaters for two seat gliders will also be available.

301/302 Specifications

Voltage: 12-14 Volts

Size: 2.5" x 2.5" x 6"; 64 mm x 64 mm x 153 mm

Weight: Model 301, 12.5 oz (354 g)

Model 302, 14 oz (396 g)