Variometer

G'Day to All, I am a pilot of fixed wing aircraft as well as hot air balloons, I am from Melbourne, Australia. I am trying to locate a particular variometer, the only name I can see on the unit is 'Piccalo', it is approx. 10 cm x 12 cm and powered by a 9 volt battery. It has 2 displays the upper is a circular analogue digital showing V.S.I. up and down, the lower is a digital display showing altitude. It has a 'Velcro' strap with which to connect it to the frame of whatever it is you are flying. I understand the unit is sometimes used by hang glider pilots. Can anyone advise where I might be able to buy one of these units in Australia.

Thanks Ron

Ron,

They're made by Aircotec. I've not seen them advertised in the UK for some time. Mine is broken!

I replaced it with a Flytec (available in the UK from RD Aviation), which i preferred until I lost it over the side of the balloon (long story!).

Hi Ron,

the Piccolo is manufactured by a Swiss company named Aircotec. Unfortunately, that is all I can tell you about it besides the fact that there is a version of it which measures envelope temperature as well.

As a side note, Aircotec was once the same company as Flytec, the other manufacturer of phantastic variometers and ballooning instruments. The compnay split into two when one of the owneres wanted simple instruments that wre easy to operate (to become Flytec) and the other owner wanted instruments with more functions for especially demanding pilots (he became Aircotec). The two companies are still located on the same street!

Hope this helps, Roland

: G'Day to All, : I am a pilot of fixed wing aircraft as well as hot : air balloons, I am from Melbourne, Australia. I am trying to locate a : particular variometer, the only name I can see on the unit is 'Piccalo', it : is approx. 10 cm x 12 cm and powered by a 9 volt battery. It has 2 : displays the upper is a circular analogue digital showing V.S.I. up and : down, the lower is a digital display showing altitude. It has a 'Velcro' : strap with which to connect it to the frame of whatever it is you are : flying. I understand the unit is sometimes used by hang glider pilots. : Can anyone advise where I might be able to buy one of these units in : Australia.

: Thanks Ron