About
Flymaster Avionics is a leading manufacturer of electronic navigation instruments and companion software tailored for free flight sports such as paragliding, hang gliding, and gliding. Founded in 2007, the company has grown into an industry leader by controlling the full production chain — from PCB manufacturing to firmware and cloud services. Their hardware lineup includes a wide range of variometers (VARIO LS, VARIO M), GPS navigation devices (GPS LS2, GPS M, NAV C), live tracking units (LIVE C, LIVE DS, Tracker 4G), and accessory systems like the LiveONE and Probox M1. These instruments deliver real-time altitude, speed, wind, and navigation data for pilots in the air. Flymaster's software and services complement the hardware with features such as LiveTracking (real-time pilot location streaming), Cloud Flights (flight recording and analysis), and a Retrieve System. Pilots and competition organizers can monitor flights live through web-based dashboards. The platform also supports World Airspaces data and integrates FLARM Aware collision avoidance technology. Flymaster targets professional and recreational pilots, paragliding clubs, competition organizers, and aviation enthusiasts who demand reliable, precision instruments. Their ecosystem makes it easy to record, share, and analyze flight data, making them a go-to brand for both solo pilots and competition events worldwide.
Key Features
- Live Tracking: Real-time GPS-based pilot location streaming accessible via web dashboards for pilots, teams, and spectators.
- Cloud Flights: Cloud-based flight recording and analysis platform allowing pilots to store, review, and share their flight data online.
- Variometers & GPS Instruments: A full range of precision variometers and GPS navigation devices (VARIO LS, GPS M, NAV C) built for free flight conditions.
- FLARM Aware Collision Avoidance: Integrated FLARM RX/TX technology provides collision awareness alerts in the air for enhanced pilot safety.
- World Airspaces Database: Built-in global airspace data keeps pilots informed of restricted and controlled airspace boundaries during flight.
Use Cases
- A paragliding pilot uses Flymaster GPS M and LiveTracking to share their real-time position with friends and family during cross-country flights.
- A competition organizer deploys Flymaster Tracker 4G units on all competing pilots to enable live race tracking and safety monitoring via the web dashboard.
- A glider pilot uses the NAV C instrument with World Airspaces data to navigate complex controlled airspace during a cross-country soaring flight.
- A paragliding school equips its students with VARIO LS variometers to help them learn thermal detection and altitude awareness during training flights.
- An experienced hang glider pilot analyzes post-flight data via Cloud Flights to review their speed, altitude profile, and route for performance improvement.
Pros
- Full Ecosystem: Seamless integration between hardware instruments, mobile accessories, and cloud-based flight services in one platform.
- Industry-Leading Hardware: Flymaster controls its entire PCB production chain, ensuring high quality, reliability, and rapid product iteration.
- Real-Time Flight Monitoring: LiveTracking allows competition organizers and spectators to monitor pilots in real time, making it ideal for events.
Cons
- Hardware Cost: Flymaster instruments are premium products with corresponding price points that may be a barrier for casual hobbyists.
- Niche Market Focus: The platform is purpose-built for free flight sports, limiting its applicability to pilots outside paragliding, hang gliding, and gliding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sports are Flymaster instruments designed for?
Flymaster instruments are designed primarily for free flight sports including paragliding, hang gliding, and gliding (sailplane) aviation.
Does Flymaster offer live tracking for competitions?
Yes. Flymaster's LiveTracking service streams real-time GPS positions of pilots to a web-based dashboard, making it widely used in paragliding and hang gliding competitions.
Can I review my flights after landing?
Yes. The Cloud Flights service allows pilots to upload, store, and analyze their recorded flights online, including route replay and performance metrics.
What is the Retrieve System?
The Retrieve System is a Flymaster service that helps pilots coordinate retrieval logistics after landing away from their launch site, using GPS positions shared via the platform.
Where are Flymaster products manufactured?
Flymaster Avionics is based in São João da Madeira, Portugal, and manufactures its PCBs and instruments in-house following significant investment in SMT production lines.
