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XCSoar 7.45 is out.

This is a large release, with new weather overlays, live NOTAMs, better tools for moving data and flight logs, improved Condor 3 support, multi-touch map controls, and OpenGL builds for Windows.

Downloads

Updates in the app stores may take a little longer to appear.

Weather

SkySight, EDL, and XCTherm can now be shown directly on map pages.

They use the same basic controls as RASP: choose a layer and forecast time for each page, then adjust them from the cursor bar at the bottom of the map. Forecasts can update automatically, and selected forecast data can be downloaded before a flight.

RASP now supports contour lines, transparency, a colour scale, and values at the cursor. flugwetter.de has additional radar and lightning images.

On Windows, these overlays require one of the new OpenGL builds.

NOTAMs

XCSoar can download NOTAMs and display them with the other airspaces on the map. Downloads are cached and refreshed in the background.

Filters are available for time, distance, IFR-only NOTAMs, and Q-codes. Tapping a NOTAM airspace opens its text.

NOTAM support is disabled by default. It is intended as an additional source of situational awareness and does not replace a proper pre-flight briefing.

Data Management

The new Data Management screen brings together Site Files, the Download Manager, flight export, data import, backups, and a file explorer.

You can:

  • import waypoints, airspaces, terrain, profiles, and other files from a USB stick or folder;
  • export IGC and NMEA flight logs to external storage;
  • upload selected IGC files to WeGlide;
  • create and restore dated backups of your settings and site files;
  • copy, move, rename, and delete files.

Backups leave out logs, other backup archives, and cached downloads. XCSoar must be restarted after restoring one.

XCSoar now keeps files in folders according to their type. Existing files are moved on the first start after upgrading where possible.

Map and flight calculations

Android and iOS now support pinch-to-zoom, two-finger panning, and map rotation.

Other map changes include distance rings, larger map text, more visible waypoints, a smoother snail trail, and an optional turn-back marker showing how far along track the active waypoint can still be reached.

The glide polar now accounts for air density at altitude. This affects speed-to-fly, task and final-glide calculations, netto vario, and the speed-to-fly arrows.

Alternates can follow XCSoar’s calculated list or be selected manually. Up to ten alternatives are shown, with airfields listed before outlanding sites.

OGN and SkyLines traffic now use the same map and radar display as FLARM traffic.

Condor 3 and devices

Support for the Condor 3 simulator has been improved with two new drivers.

The UDP telemetry driver receives airspeed, altitude, vario, AHRS and gyro data, G-load, MacCready, water ballast, and radio frequency.

The Spectate driver reads Condor’s Spectate.json file and shows multiplayer traffic on the map and FLARM radar.

Other device changes include GDL 90 ADS-B input, an LX Navigation LX160 driver, LX Eos declaration and logger support, additional BlueFly functions, $LK8EX1 support on every port, and eight device slots.

User interface

This release includes a broad set of touch, keyboard, and e-paper fixes. Lists and configuration dialogs are easier to navigate without a touchscreen, waypoint searches stay open while viewing details, and long translated text wraps correctly.

The Quick Guide, checklists, Credits, and configuration pages can be changed with a horizontal swipe. E-paper scrolling now avoids unnecessary animation, and several InfoBox, focus, layout, and dialog crashes have been fixed.

Platforms

Windows users should now use the OpenGL builds. They use the same accelerated graphics path as Android, Linux, and macOS and support features such as transparent weather and airspace overlays.

Installers and portable zip files are available for both 64-bit and 32-bit Windows. The old PC and WIN64 single-file binaries are deprecated and will be removed in a later release.

Linux, OpenVario, and Kobo now have WiFi configuration under Config → Setup → Network.

Kobo starts in light mode because dark mode is not suitable for its e-paper display.

On iOS, the audio vario can play through the speaker and the built-in GPS continues reporting while stationary. A macOS rendering problem with thick lines has also been fixed.

Thanks

Uwe Augustin began the SkySight work in OpenSoar. Stefan Schumann, with Caz Yokoyama, ported it to XCSoar and developed much of its map and forecast integration. Matthew Scutter helped with the SkySight API and caching.

Benjamin Girard added EDL. Philip Heinrich developed the XCTherm integration, including its in-flight cursor controls.

Simon GH worked on RASP rendering and brought the OpenGL graphics backend, packaging, and installer to Windows. Yorick Reum developed the NOTAM support and contributed substantial iOS and macOS work.

Stefan Schumann also developed Data Management, the Linux/OpenVario/Kobo network panel, and the internal speed-to-fly audio vario.

Bapt A., Joe Capra, and Eric Carden worked on alternates and waypoint InfoBoxes. Dominic Spreitz added the density-scaled polar. Davis Chappins and Wolfgang Drescher developed the turn-back marker and distance rings.

Thanks also to Rik Vanden Boer, Jiri Maier, Christian Grøvdal, Linar Yusupov, Igor Nazarenko, Josef Klein, Helmut J. Rohs, Thomas Maier, Chris Woolley, Roland Niederhagen, Mirek Burdych, si.gr, DanD222, bennsch, and everyone who tested 7.45 and reported problems.

— Philipp Wollschlegel