Marking out a F3A box - F3A Zone
08-14-2017, 05:32 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Marking out a F3A box - F3A Zone - now PRO and Android!
When you are practicing aerobatics (or setting up a competition site) there is no really good way of setting up some box markers to identify the F3A ‘box’. Most often you will see someone kneeling on the ground with a sighting board moving about on top of a transmitter case, with some guys guessing where 150m may be (and its usually a big guess), and trying to position the box marker poles. There is lots of arm waving and phone calling to sort out where they should be placed.Being a keen F3A pilot, I have come up with something of a solution to these problems – F3A Zone. It is an app for iPhone and is available for FREE on the apple app store (just search for ‘F3A Zone’). First the limitations: The app uses GPS, which has ‘variable’ accuracy. This app is a superb way of getting all 3 box markers at 150m (plus/minus a few meters) – in fact, it is the only practical way of doing this. As far as the 60 degree box angle goes, I have found the GPS positions to be at least as accurate and reproducible as a sighting board. I would be interested to hear how you get on! Remember, you can always use a sighting board to confirm the angles, knowing at least all 3 poles are at 150m. You only need to follow a few simple steps:
1. Select how far out you want the poles positioned - typically 150m out from the pilot – other distance options are there if you have a river, etc in your way! 2. On the next screen, wait for the GPS indicator to turn green.
3. Stand where the pilot will stand and hit 'pilot position'
4. Walk directly toward center - at least 10m - and for best accuracy a bit further like 50m or more and hit 'on the way to center'. The further you walk here the better – this is important.
5. Now select 'draw box'. The box marker positions are drawn on the map, along with lines joining these to the pilot position.
6. Now walk toward where the first box marker needs to go. You can zoom in on the map as you get close to the box pole positions, and locate them really accurately. Zoom back out as you head to the next marker position.
Notes:
When you start the app, wait until your GPS fix becomes accurate (green indicator) before selecting the pilot position.
The positioning relies on GPS - this app is about the only practical way to position all 3 poles at 150m. In our experience, we would say the 60 degree box angles are more reproducible with this app than a sighting board wobbling on a transmitter case. But check these angles till you have confidence in the app at your location.
You can of course 'save the box' - saved boxes can be retrieved at a later date to set up exactly the same site again.
The app additionally reports both distance from pilot position (just for fun), and also distance out perpendicular to the no fly line. This provides an easy method of seeing how far out someone is flying. Define the pilot position and 'on the way to center' as normal, then walk to say one corner of the box (somewhere safe) in line with where a pilot is flying - the 'distance out' is reported. Airfield elevation is also shown. Remember, the app uses GPS – so it is not accurate enough to use to mark a ‘close in box’ at the far edge of the strip for practicing. It is good for marking out a box at 150m.
F3A Zone:
US app store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/f3a-zone/id1233982493?mt=8
1. Select how far out you want the poles positioned - typically 150m out from the pilot – other distance options are there if you have a river, etc in your way! 2. On the next screen, wait for the GPS indicator to turn green.
3. Stand where the pilot will stand and hit 'pilot position'
4. Walk directly toward center - at least 10m - and for best accuracy a bit further like 50m or more and hit 'on the way to center'. The further you walk here the better – this is important.
5. Now select 'draw box'. The box marker positions are drawn on the map, along with lines joining these to the pilot position.
6. Now walk toward where the first box marker needs to go. You can zoom in on the map as you get close to the box pole positions, and locate them really accurately. Zoom back out as you head to the next marker position.
Notes:
When you start the app, wait until your GPS fix becomes accurate (green indicator) before selecting the pilot position.
The positioning relies on GPS - this app is about the only practical way to position all 3 poles at 150m. In our experience, we would say the 60 degree box angles are more reproducible with this app than a sighting board wobbling on a transmitter case. But check these angles till you have confidence in the app at your location.
You can of course 'save the box' - saved boxes can be retrieved at a later date to set up exactly the same site again.
The app additionally reports both distance from pilot position (just for fun), and also distance out perpendicular to the no fly line. This provides an easy method of seeing how far out someone is flying. Define the pilot position and 'on the way to center' as normal, then walk to say one corner of the box (somewhere safe) in line with where a pilot is flying - the 'distance out' is reported. Airfield elevation is also shown. Remember, the app uses GPS – so it is not accurate enough to use to mark a ‘close in box’ at the far edge of the strip for practicing. It is good for marking out a box at 150m.
F3A Zone:
US app store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/f3a-zone/id1233982493?mt=8
Last edited by andypnz; 10-08-2017 at 04:24 PM. Reason: update title....
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snarskisr (09-10-2023)
08-31-2017, 09:18 AM
#5
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Fantastic, andypnz! Sometimes, as a flyer of sub-2M practice planes, I need to use a makeshift pattern field, and since the plane is smaller I try to fly closer in than 150m. Does your app have the ability to use lesser centerpoint distances, or is 150m the only option?
08-31-2017, 03:51 PM
#6
Thread Starter
The app offers several 'distance out' options for the poles. Remember:
1. You can always put a pole 'along the line' if it needs to be closer due to a river, etc being in the way
2. The GPS determined angle is more accurate the further out you put the box
3. Say you decided on a box 50m out - you would need to confirm the angles using a sighting device, but the app will get the poles very close to all in a straight line 50m out.....
Andrew
1. You can always put a pole 'along the line' if it needs to be closer due to a river, etc being in the way
2. The GPS determined angle is more accurate the further out you put the box
3. Say you decided on a box 50m out - you would need to confirm the angles using a sighting device, but the app will get the poles very close to all in a straight line 50m out.....
Andrew
09-04-2017, 09:20 AM
#7
Hi Andrew,
I made my box here using a 50m distance, then verified it with the 150m distance. My marked lines using the 50m distance were so close I was within maybe 1m of the pole location indicated when checked at 150m.
App works very well even with the closer in distances, I can't believe there would be another method as accurate and as fast
Thanks for the app!
Chad
I made my box here using a 50m distance, then verified it with the 150m distance. My marked lines using the 50m distance were so close I was within maybe 1m of the pole location indicated when checked at 150m.
App works very well even with the closer in distances, I can't believe there would be another method as accurate and as fast
Thanks for the app!Chad
09-07-2017, 05:14 PM
#12
Thread Starter
I have shared my source code with an Android developer, we will just have to be patient and see if anything eventuates... I am simply not sure at the moment.... Meanwhile, enjoy watching your iPhone user friends walk around setting up the box while you have a coffee :-)
10-08-2017, 04:27 PM
#14
Thread Starter
F3A Zone Pro released!
F3A Zone has had much positive feedback - thank you!
So I have released a 'Pro' version on the Apple app store. What's new in 'Pro'?
So I have released a 'Pro' version on the Apple app store. What's new in 'Pro'?
- Well, it costs you a dollar 
:-) Why? I kept on being asked 'why is it free?' This seemed to be a way of assuring people there is no spam or advertising associated with the app!
- You now have the ability to email saved boxes to friends (and of course view boxes which have been emailed to you).
- New development will happen with Pro - this will include support for high accuracy GPS when it arrives, and hopefully some AR ideas I have:-)
So, why is the emailing of a saved box useful?
One person can now setup the box using F3A Zone Pro. They now save the box, and after doing this they can email the box to 2 or 3 other people - if those people also have F3A Zone Pro (or F3A Zone Pro Reader for Android), each person can now view identical boxes, and each person can go and set up one pole - this makes setting up a competition box super quick and easy!
If contest directors make a .f3a file available for their competition site, competitors can visualize off the app what the box will look like.
Let me know how you get on!
- You now have the ability to email saved boxes to friends (and of course view boxes which have been emailed to you).
- New development will happen with Pro - this will include support for high accuracy GPS when it arrives, and hopefully some AR ideas I have
So, why is the emailing of a saved box useful?
One person can now setup the box using F3A Zone Pro. They now save the box, and after doing this they can email the box to 2 or 3 other people - if those people also have F3A Zone Pro (or F3A Zone Pro Reader for Android), each person can now view identical boxes, and each person can go and set up one pole - this makes setting up a competition box super quick and easy!
If contest directors make a .f3a file available for their competition site, competitors can visualize off the app what the box will look like.
Let me know how you get on!
10-08-2017, 04:30 PM
#15
Thread Starter
Android users: F3A Zone Pro Reader for Android released!
Android users: F3A Zone Pro Reader for Android released!
So I figured out how to develop Android apps
:-), and am happy to announce F3A Zone Pro Reader is on the google play store.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=f3azone.pro.reader
So I figured out how to develop Android apps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=f3azone.pro.reader
I plan to eventually make this a full version, like F3A Zone Pro for Apple. But the F3A World Champs is approaching and I have flying to do!
So if you are an Android user, this is the best at the moment.....
This version of the app is a reader of emailed box files - sent from F3A Zone Pro for iPhone. So you need a friend with an iPhone. Once they have emailed you a box file, you can open it on your Android phone and setup the box. Remember to save the emailed box locally on your phone, and then you can refer to the box layout anytime.
At a competition, an iPhone user with F3A Zone Pro can setup a box, then email it to say 3 Android users (each with F3A Zone Pro Reader). The iPhone guy can now sit back while the 3 Android users go and set up a pole each
So if you are an Android user, this is the best at the moment.....
This version of the app is a reader of emailed box files - sent from F3A Zone Pro for iPhone. So you need a friend with an iPhone. Once they have emailed you a box file, you can open it on your Android phone and setup the box. Remember to save the emailed box locally on your phone, and then you can refer to the box layout anytime.
At a competition, an iPhone user with F3A Zone Pro can setup a box, then email it to say 3 Android users (each with F3A Zone Pro Reader). The iPhone guy can now sit back while the 3 Android users go and set up a pole each
10-08-2017, 06:41 PM
#17
Thread Starter
Remember you currently need someone with an iPhone and F3AZone Pro to initially setup the box and email you the file....
Eventually I am sure I will be able to add full functionality to the Android version :-)
Eventually I am sure I will be able to add full functionality to the Android version :-)
