Send message to your retrieve team
If you are a XC paragliding pilot, you might land in a different location than anticipated. In this case you have to inform the retrieve team where they can pick you up or just inform them on your status.
The Paragliding Pilot Retrieve App
The app determines your location and can send a message with a few clicks using SMS, Whatsapp, Messenger, or whatever communication service is available on your android device.
If you want to send a message, you just pick the message from a list, thus avoiding to type it in yourself, which might be quite handy depending on the situation.
You can send only the message, but also the location as Google Maps location pin.
Click button to download the App in the Google Play Store.
How to use the app
Step 1. Switch on your GPS
Step 2. Select message text
Click on the ‘Select message’ button. A screen opens and will display a list of 12 messages of which you can select one. Just click on the required message and you will be returned to the main screen where the button will now display the text ‘Message selected’ and where the message is also displayed. You can always change the text by clicking this button again.
Step 3. Send message without location
If you have selected a text stating e.g. that you are making your own way back or are back at base, there’s no need to add location information. In that case just click the ‘Send message’ button. Your smartphone will now open a screen allowing you to select the messaging service you want to use. Follow the steps indicated by the messaging service. The app will send the selected message, but will allow you to add more text if you like.
[Tip: In preparation of your flight you may consider creating a Whatsapp group with your team members, such as to have a higher quick response probability in case of an emergency.]
Step 4. Send message with location
If you want to also send the location information, the process is the same as under Step 3, but the location information is added as Google Maps location pin.
App properties
Minimal data transfer
The app is designed to be extremely ‘light’ on the data transfer, in order to cope with marginal internet connections often encountered in the field, around 150 bytes are sent in the retrieve message.
What if there’s no internet connection?
In this case SMS will still do the jpb. That’s why the app provides the Google Maps location pin. Your GPS works independent of your internet connection, as does SMS. So that’s the fallback option. You will still get your location and message across.
Mind the GPS performance
Obviously the app is meant to be used in open spaces, our natural flying habitat. Thus reception of the GPS signals is optimal and allows for accuracies of several meters. The app is not meant to be used indoors.