Talk:Variometer

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Is a variometer the same thing as a Vertical Speed Indiciator (VSI)? If so, this should be noted. If not, the difference should be noted.

Same thing. Well spotted. Power pilots, eh? They never use a proper English word when they can use an inpenetrable abbreviation. It helps maintains their mystique, don't you know. I've combined some information from the "VSI" article into this one and turned "VSI" into a re-direct. GrahamN 10:01, 9 Mar 2004 (UTC)

[edit] varios in foot launched aviation

vario is a must have for any paraglider/hang glider pilot and this is the most popular utilization of varios nowadays. there should by more about this usage in the article.

I expect you are right. Please feel free to add to the article accordingly. We don't stand on ceremony here. GrahamN 24 October 2004 [not logged in as have forgotten password]

[edit] Question

Just a question from a "power pilot's" viewpoint. The glider instrument is calibrated in knots? Dan D. Ric 11:38, 21 October 2006 (UTC)

Definitely. The conversion to feet per minute is trivial (although only really meaningful with an averager, given the variability of lift even in the same thermal!) and glide angles can be computed reasonably quickly. In most European countries, the values are given in metres per second. This is perhaps because altimeters are similarly metric and measure metres (or kilometres); One could draw more parallel to the power world there. --BWDuncan 17:11, 21 October 2006 (UTC)

Do European gliders measure altitude in metres, unlike powered aircraft? In powered aviation almost all Free World aircraft use feet... --GCarty 19:55, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes, except in the UK. There may be other European countries using feet and knots, but I've only flown in Norway, France and Spain, all of which used metres and metres per second. I'd be interested to know why this is the case!--BWDuncan 12:29, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

Perhaps it was because gliders aren't subject to Air Traffic Control, which forced the whole of the non-communist world to standardize on a single set of units (nautical miles, knots and feet). --GCarty 08:24, 7 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Inertia lead?

From the article:

An "Inertia lead" VSI or ILVSI compensates for relative "g" forces experienced in a turn (powered aircraft) and provides appropriate mechanical compensation to remove otherwise erroneous indications of climb or descent.

I am unfamiliar with this type. This does not seem sensible to me unless the rate of turn is a factor in determining if the "g" force is from turn or a stick-induced climb or descent.

The type I am familiar with would be described in the following proposed additional text:

In a sailplane the rate of ascent can be modified by small elevator inputs, giving true but misleading rate of climb information, as this does not reflect accurately the contribution of the rising air mass. This indication is removed by also factoring in the rate of change of airspeed, which in older instruments was done by additional connections and air bleeds from the pitot system.

Comments please?

-Leonard G. (talk) 18:04, 12 December 2007 (UTC)