The DSX tracking system was ready since Wednesday morning, waiting for the pilots that will bring the SaFly unit into the air. The first days, 5 were the SaFly that flew, to check the operating conditions, in terms of network coverage and installation onboard, and the access to the server.
The organization of the PWC and the Italian Federation of Free Flight (FIVL) did warn their members and spectators that there would have been the tracking in operation (see news from the PWC and the FIVL).
From the Operations Centre, and from home who wanted to try it, it was possible to track 5 pilots, simply opening in any internet browser the tracking page. At the same time, who had installed on his PC the Silent Wings Viewer, could connect to the DSX server to receive the flight data of the 5 pilots, and fly with them in the Silent Wings scenery.
On Thursday , the menace of some dark cumuli that could degenerate, pushed for the cancellation of the racing task even before take off, and with the tracking we saw the traces of those who left the take off to come back to the landing, with the SaFly turned on. Nevertheless, the pilot Stephan Morgenthaler did cross the Rieti valley to Greccio and he could make a beautiful flight. Fortunately he had with him a SaFly and all the people, at the Operations Centre, flew with him watching at the meteo conditions and the path he followeed. The experience impressed all the people who followed Stephan in real time, in 3D, untill he landed a the Operations Centre.
Friday was the day with strong wind, hence the pilots didn't even go to the take-off, and in the evening DSX left Poggio Bustone, leaving there few SaFly units for the unlikely event of a nice Saturday weather and a flight.
And just Saturday, that was forcasted as a very unlikely promising day, allowed a first stint of the daily task. The competition was anyway cancelled later on. The few SaFly present, have flown with their pilots, that were followed from ground and from home.
In conclusion, many were the pilots and responsibles for the free flight activity that have appreciated the potential of the DSX tracking system: a unique tool to make incredibly grow the public of the sport events that can't be followed from ground for the whole race, besides allowing those who are at home to "see" the competition. A pilot has written in the free flight forum, referring to Jimmy Pacher who has flown an astonishing manche on Wednesday:
"Jimmy you are great; thanks for having made me fly from the office .... with the virtual system ...."
During the 4 days of service in Poggio Bustone, 3'133 visitors from 70 countries have entered the 2D tracking page, for a total of 6'639 visualizations !!!
This is "broadcasting" !
To the above mentioned aspects there is also the fact that the Contest Director and the Scoring Office have always, anytime, all the IGC files of the tracked pilots, for compiling the classification in real time, during the competition.
