Flymaster TAS Paragliding

Flymaster TAS Paragliding version

The paragliding version of the TAS is delivered with self-orienting replaceable wind vane tail.

Package (paragliding)

• TAS probe
• TAS wind vane tail
• TAS case

Connect TAS to Skytraxx 3.0 / 3.0 FANET+

The Flymaster TAS airspeed probe and temperature sensor can also be connected to the Skytraxx 3.0 or Skytraxx 3.0 FANET+ using the Skytraxx 3.0 Remote with Receiver.

Flymaster TAS: True Air Speed

"The tool for accuracy."

Main features

• Air-speed measurement from 5 to 180 km/h (1 km/h resolution)
• Temperature Measurement from -20 to +70 ºC (0.1 ºC resolution)
• Maximum communication distance: 5 m

Air speed measurement

Using airspeed, the Flymaster instruments can provide useful information for flight performance and safety, more accurately calculating wind speed and direction, and benefiting from additional features, such as Stall-alert, Speed-to-Fly, Netto Vario, etc.

The TAS probe uses a Pitot tube for determining airspeed. Consequently, it does not suffer from problems related to impeller type sensors, which rapidly loose accuracy due to dust and damage. Flymaster TAS probe connects to the Flymaster instruments using the built-in wireless interface. These factors combined create a flexible robust solution. 

Hardware Characteristics

Flymaster TAS Paragliding reviews

I was worried about its size but it comes with a larger version of the Flymaster instrument case. At first I had a problem with speed but soon worked out that you need to put a TAS data field onto your instrument screen and hey presto it works fine. The temperature sensor is very sensitive.

It doesn't come with any lines or suggestions for how to attach, so I used two lines from the centre of some para cord and attached both pieces separately so if one breaks I don't lose the probe. I suspend it from the zips on the back of my harness (close to the back of my head) this way when stood on the hill the probe is clear of the ground and in the air it dangles low enough to be in clean air.

When you compare to wired probes the price is good as you have wireless capability plus the extra bonus of a temp probe. Would I buy this again? Probably yes. I guess it will come into its element once an update for stall alarms etc has been added.

PS. I bought a Flytec Bumblebee - Universal Camera Bracket for an easy mount of my GoPro, which works superbly, but best of all it doubles up as a fixed mount for the Flymaster TAS probe. This has the advantage of giving a more accurate speed, as it's not swinging back and forth, plus there's nothing to interrupt the signal as there is direct line of sight between the probe and the instrument.

- Darren, TAS owner

Flybubble note: When Flymaster released the TAS (then named "TASProbe" or "TAS Probe") they advertised they were working on a "Thermal sniffer" feature which would be "available soon" however this has not yet materialised About this they wrote: "Thermal sniffer (to follow). Get the help you always dreamed to find thermals with the built in thermal sniffer (available soon). The TASProbe also includes a fast (low thermic inertia) and high resolution temperature sensor, capable of detecting tiny variations in airflow temperature. By wirelessly getting the temperature data from the TASProbe, the Flymaster flight instrument can display and register the temperature during flight. By doing so, the Flymaster flight instrument can identify patterns which later can be used to evaluate the thermal potential of the area or spot thermal proximity. Combining temperature data with information from the renowned high accuracy Flymaster varios and GPS’s, the combined system can potentially detect nearby thermals, creating an unbeatable thermal hunting solution."