![]() ![]() By 2001, the team was releasing new beta versions regularly, and by 2005, the maturity of software lead to more widespread reviews, and increased popularity. Enthusiastic development of newer versions for several years resulted in progressively more stable and advanced versions. The first working binaries, using OpenGL for 3D graphic code, came out in 1997. Many people have contributed to the project in the years since its inception.įlightGear incorporated other open-source resources, including the LaRCsim flight model from NASA, and freely available elevation data. Development of an OpenGL based version was spearheaded by Curtis Olson starting in 1997. This product is a winner.See FlightGear History for the main article about this subject.įlightGear development started with an online proposal in 1996, using custom 3D graphics code. The USB-C port is dual purpose, either accepting charging voltage in or outputting voltage, based on the device that’s connected. It’s also smart enough to detect the optimal charging current for the connected device and passes along the right amount of power. The device has a microprocessor that monitors the battery health and will shut down before there’s an overvoltage, overcharge or a short circuit. Total charging time of the battery (from a flat condition) is around seven hours with a Micro-USB cable and around 12 hours with a USB-C cable. The battery comes with a 6-inch Micro-USB charging cable for replenishing the pack and simple four-light status annunciators show how much juice is remaining. With 20,000 mAh of capacity (three times the power of the typical iPad), the battery has more than enough juice to charge them all at the same time. My typical outing in the airplane has me running my iPhone, an iPad and a variety of action cameras and stabilizers. Perhaps what I like best about the Flight Gear battery pack is the ability to charge multiple devices at once. ![]() The convenience there is you’ll only need one cable to charge both the battery back and whatever device you need to top off, thanks to a variety of ports. I have a drawer full of gadget interface cables but can never seem to find the one I need at the time, but the battery pack eliminates that nuisance because it can be charged with a Micro-USB, Type-C or Apple Lightning cable. A power switch, LED status lamps and Micro-USB port are on the side of the case. There are three standard USB-A output charging ports and one USB-C output/input port. The battery has its USB output ports well positioned on the front edge of case. The bottom of the case is stamped with an airport traffic light signal guide, the cruising altitudes for VFR and IFR flying, emergency transponder codes and a basic emergency checklist for a carbureted engine failure. When the airplane is put away, the battery could work on a motorcycle or bicycle, if there’s the right on-bike storage. The drawback to the thin footprint is that it can easily slide between a seat. The casing is anti-slip, which keeps it from coming out of the hand, but I wish it were even grippier. I stashed it in all of the above, but it was a touch too large to comfortably fit in a jacket or pants pocket. That makes it easy to slide into a map pocket, flight bag and the front pocket of a backpack. I’ve been using it to charge my stuff and quickly learned to like its performance and utility.Īt first blush, the battery seems big, measuring 7.75 by 3.75 by 0.5 inches, but its saving grace is the thin profile. Sporty’s now offers what it thinks is the ultimate solution with its $79.95 Flight Gear backup battery pack. Bring enough portable gadgets on a trip and inevitably you’ll be looking for power to recharge them. ![]()
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