Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I find GP instructions?

A: Click Info > Help or hit the F1 key to show the interactive help.

Q: What are the system requirements?

A: GlidePort runs best in modern standards-compliant browsers such as Chrome (prefered) or Safari. Alternatively you can use Mozilla/Firefox or Microsoft Edge. Microsoft Explorer is not supported.

You need a computer with a good screen resolution, 1280 x 768 is about reasonable minimum. You also need a decent graphic card in order to see Google Earth 3d view and animations.

Q: How do I register as GP user?

A: Click the "Register" menu item, enter your email, password, full name, and the given security code and click the Register button. You will then receive an email with an activation link. Click on the activation link to complete the registration process.

Q: How do I register my SPOT or inReach device so that my tracks will show up in GP?

A: First, make sure that you have your Shared Map url. To create a shared map, follow SPOT ("Create a Shared Page") or Delorme ("How do I set up MapShare") instuctions.

Login into GP. Click on the Settings > Tracking menu item, enter you Shared Map url in a "Device URL" field and click Save.

Q: What is GlideTrack and how do I get started?

A: See http://github.com/glideport/GlideTrack for details.

"GlideTrack is a simple mobile tracker for glider flying. It works in conjunction with the GlidePort.aero track visualization and analysis web app. It sends high-resolution flight track data to GlidePort.aero so that spectators can view your flights in real-time (or later). GlideTrack also allows you to send text messages that can be seen in GlidePort.aero."

Q: Where can I get GlideTrack for iOS / Android device?

A: For iOS devices, GlideTrack is available in the AppStore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/glidetrack/id888910571. For Android devices, it it can be downloaded from http://glideport.aero/GlideTrack/GlideTrack-release.apk.

Q: How do I configure Delorme inReach PUSH to work with GP?

A: The PUSH protocol will result in shorter track lag times. Delorme requires that you have commercial account in order to use the PUSH protocol.

In the explore.delorme.com web app:

Go to the "Admin Controls" tab, "Portal Connect" subtab.
Make sure checkbox "inReach Portal Connect" is checked.
In the "Outbound URL" field enter "http://glideport.aero/spot/ir_push".
Click "Test" to confirm it works.
Click "Save".
Get the IMEI number from inside the battery compartment of the device. Alternatively, you can get the IMEI number in the “Admin Controls” tab, “Devices” subtab.

In GP:

Go to the Settings -> Tracking page.
Enter your device URL as: ir_push:<your-IMEI-number>
Click "Save".

Q: How much does it cost?

A: GP is FREE (as in beer) to users world-wide!

Q: How can I contact you?

A: Use the contact form.

Q: My email address has changed. How do I change it in GP?

A: There is currently no user interface to do that. Please use the contact form to request that we change it for you.

Q: Why is GP currently designated "alpha"?

A: "Alpha" means that there is still a lot more functionality coming. We wanted to get it out so that people can start using it as soon as possible, and we will incrementally be adding functionality.

Q: What about other languages?

A: If you would like to help by translating GlidePort to another language, please contact us. It takes about a half day to do it.

Q: What about APRS tracking?

A: If you have experience with APRS-IS and would like to help with integrating APRS into GP please contact us.

Q: What about weather overlays for where I fly?

A: Please see the blog post about it.

Q: How do I delete a track?

A: Currently there is no ability to delete a SPOT or inReach track. Private uploaded IGC tracks can be deleted by opening the "Edit" page for the track and then clicking "Delete". Public uploaded IGC tracks can be only deleted up to one day after they were uploaded.

Q: How do I create link to a specific view?

A: Simply copy the browser URL. Note that if you are looking at the current day you need to make sure that the URL that you share has the day argument specified, e.g., ?day=yyyy-mm-dd.

Q: Can I analyze/visualize tracks without uploading them?

A: Yes, the "quick view" page lets you analyze and visualize flight tracks by simply dragging-and-dropping IGC file into the page (anyplace). Note that by doing this you will be viewing the track in a limited context: you won't see other flights out of the glideport, you won't see weather overlays, you won't see turnpoints, etc.

Q: How can I learn more about GlidePort.aero?

A: Click Info -> Help or hit F1 to activate the help system. Then, place cursor over an element to get help for that element.

Here is a quick intro video:

Here is a more in-depth demo:

Q: What are other mobile tracking apps that can be used with GlidePort.aero?

A: Here is the list of 3rd-party software that works with GlidePort.aero:

IGCDroid

"Now your Android device can automatically record your flight and keep ground crew and friends updated in near real-time.
Perfect for all pilots

Students recording their training flights
Weekend pilots keeping their partners informed where and when they land
Competition pilots with followers on the ground.
The free trial version is limited to 30 minute flights. One time purchase of $10 to upgrade to the unlimited version.
Features

Simple set and forget operation
Track your flight in near real time
Record OLC validated IGC files
Simple post flight statistics
Email notify crew and friends of your flight progress

IGCDroid in the Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ajw.igcdroid.

Q: What's next?

A: Here are some things that will be comming soon:

Scoring
Full mobile support
Auto-uploaded IGC tracks for competitions
... and lots more.