Flight Coach is a group of software tools which aim to increase objectivity in precision aerobatics. All the tools work with flight data recorded by inexpensive on-board data loggers running the Ardupilot firmware. The software is open source and licensed with business application restrictions.  

FCPlotter – The key output of the Flight Coach project is the Plotter, which displays a 3D interactive visualisation of the recorded data tailored to the needs of aerobatic pilots. The best way to experience it first time is to open one of the template flights. You can also see a real flight demo demo flight download link – right click on the link, select “Save link as”  and save this file to your PC, then open the plotter (also a link is along the top menu of this website), select ‘Open Flight’ and load the saved file.

FCScore – FCScore provides automatic judging for aerobatics. The process is entirely deterministic and has been configured to score F3A, IMAC and IAC flights. The program allows you to see exactly how every score is calculated and hence how to improve your flying. Alongside the judging process, FCScore includes a flight data and score sharing platform. This means that FCScore offers the new possibility of registering world records in aerobatics. We encourage all pilots to share as many flights as possible as we can use this to improve the judging process in the future.

FCMap – Flight Coach Map (FCMap) is an addon that will assist pilots in locating a competition box at a site. It takes the pilot and center positions and draws the box angle lines as well as the outline of a box on a map background (Google Maps Satellite and Streets view. Currently supported competition styles are F3A, IMAC and F3S

FCJudge – Flight Coach Judge (FCJudge) is an addon that will assist pilots in judging recorded flights. It animates the recorded flight with realistic graphics with minimal computer prompts and allows to enter a score for each maneuver. Currently supported competition styles are F3A. It may be used for a ‘manual’ judging, automated judging is performed by FCScore.

FCGeo – Flight Coach Geo (FCGeo) is an addon that draws the pre-recorded flight ribbon within the geospatial environment that includes terrain information. It has been designed to orientate the pilot within the visual surroundings of the site.