XCSoar vs Balloon Pilot Chaser

Disclaimer: Do not rely on this app for navigation or flight-critical decisions. XCSoar is an open-source flight navigation software designed for gliders and other sailplanes. It provides features like a moving map, task planning, airspace information, and thermal detection. The software helps pilots with route optimization and offers real-time data on altitude, speed, and location. It can be used on various devices, including tablets and smartphones, making it versatile for both recreational and competitive flying.

Balloon Pilot Chaser brings balloon and retrieve vehicle together: the pilot shares the position with one tap, the crew sees the balloon live and is guided all the way to the landing site – farm tracks and trailer included. THE PILOT SHARES – THE CREW NEEDS NO APP Tap “Share position” in the basket and send the link to your crew by messenger, SMS or email. Anyone who opens the link sees the balloon live on the map – on any phone, tablet or computer, nothing to install. When the iPhone lies still after landing, the crew still sees the position as current. NAVIGATION BUILT FOR CAR AND TRAILER “Go to Balloon” starts Chaser Navigation with voice guidance, even with the screen locked. It plans for a car towing a balloon trailer and avoids barriers, fords and spots too narrow or too low. You decide how far off the road it may go: • Off – paved roads only • Firm – plus firm farm and service tracks mainly on the last stretch to the balloon • All – every drivable track, for 4×4 retrieve vehicles One tap takes you from the navigation back to the map. Apple Maps and Google Maps remain available as alternatives at any time. WHERE THE SIGNAL DROPS In Hesse, Germany, routes are calculated entirely on the device – exactly where rural coverage tends to fail. With a data connection, reported closures there are avoided as well. In the rest of Europe and in Turkey, routes come from the Chaser server. Everywhere else, “Go to Balloon” opens Apple Maps or Google Maps automatically. Live position and sharing work worldwide; a new balloon position always needs a data connection. THE CREW ON THE PILOT’S MAP Followers can choose “Show to pilot” to share their car with the pilot – in the app or straight from the link, no app needed – and say who has the trailer. The pilot sees each car as a coloured dot with name and distance, the car with the trailer always in blue. So the pilot knows in the basket who is closest. PILOT VIEW While sharing, the pilot sees altitude, vertical speed, speed, track and their own flight path on the map – a simple backup in the basket. MADE FOR THE FIELD • Choose your units: m or ft, m/s or ft/min, km/h, kt or mph, km or miles in the car • Topographic map and satellite imagery • English and German • For iPhone and iPad, with CarPlay: map, flight data and “Go to Balloon” on the car display PRIVACY No account, no ads, no tracking. Shared positions are deleted when sharing ends, otherwise at the latest one hour after the chosen duration (up to 8 hours), crew car positions after 30 minutes without an update. Only the pilot sees the cars. Background location only while you share or while a navigation you started is running. BUY ONCE No subscription, no in-app purchases. NOTE The app is a guide for driving to the balloon, not an aviation navigation instrument. Traffic rules, track conditions and landowners’ rights always come first.