PowerFLARM Flex WebGUI (FLARM Hub) Operation Manual

IntroductionAbout This Manual / Connection MethodGetting started

The PowerFLARM Flex can be configured and maintained from the browser of a smartphone, tablet, or PC using its built-in Wi-Fi access point. This browser screen is the FLARM Hub (referred to as the "WebGUI" in this manual). No cables or app installation are required, so pre- and post-flight checks and IGC log retrieval can be completed on the spot.

How to Connect

1. Turn on the aircraft's power and start the PowerFLARM Flex (the Wi-Fi comes up about 30 seconds after startup).
2. In the Wi-Fi settings of your smartphone/PC, connect to the network named FLAFLX10W-xxxxxx. The password is printed on the sticker on the unit. If you scan the QR code on the sticker, you can skip entering the SSID and password.
3. Enter 10.10.10.10 in your browser's address bar. The FLARM Hub screen will open.

CommonCommon screen layoutCommon layout

Every screen has a fixed menu on the left and content on the right. The menu is divided into four groups.

Chapter 1Status ― StatusStatus

This is the first screen shown when you open the WebGUI. It is positioned as the screen you must check before every flight, and it is divided into six cards.

FLARM card (operating state)

System card (device information)

• Firmware Version / Expiration Date: The version and expiration date of the unit's software. FLARM has an expiration date set for standard updates, and once it expires, transmission and reception stop. Be sure to update it before the date (Chapter 5).
• FLARM Hub Version: The version of this web screen itself.
• Device ID: The device serial (e.g. FLAFLX10W-xxxxxx). Needed when contacting support.
• Radio ID: Your own aircraft ID over the FLARM radio. If (ICAO) is shown alongside it, this means the ICAO 24-bit address is in use. Use this value when registering the aircraft with external services such as OGN.
• Aircraft Type: The aircraft type you set (Chapter 2).
• IGC Serial: The 3-character logger serial used in the IGC file name.
• Features: Installed licenses/functions. Items such as ENL (Engine Noise Level) and TIS are displayed.

Power card (power supply)

Displays the built-in battery level (State of Charge), unit temperature, power source (Battery / External), and external voltage. When External Voltage is 0.0 V, no external power is coming in. When using in-aircraft wiring, confirm before takeoff that this shows the aircraft voltage (e.g. 12–14 V). If the temperature is high, avoid direct sunlight.

Time & Location card (time and position)

Displays the UTC time, current position (in degrees and minutes), GPS altitude, barometric altitude, and the number of received satellites. If GPS Satellites is 5 or more and the position is plausible, positioning is good. If barometric altitude is displayed, the built-in pressure sensor is also normal.

Obstacle Database card

The state of the obstacle database. Not present means it is not installed. For the installation method, see Chapter 6.

Wi-Fi card

The QR code for connecting, the SSID, the password (toggle display with the eye icon), and the device's IP address (default 10.10.10.10). When you want a passenger or maintenance person to connect, showing them this QR is the quickest way.

Chapter 2Configuration > FLARM ― Unit SettingsConfiguration / FLARM

This screen determines all the internal settings of the PowerFLARM Flex. There are many items, so checking "Show advanced configuration items" at the top of the screen will display the detailed items as well (this manual shows the state with the checkbox ON). Detailed items are displayed enclosed in a gray band, and are marked in this manual with Advanced.

2-1. General

2-2. Aircraft Information

The information entered here is carried on the FLARM radio and transmitted to surrounding aircraft and OGN receiving stations (when Automatic exchange, described later, is On). It is also used in the header of IGC logs.

2-3. Data Port

Determines the format of data sent from the unit's RJ45 connector to external equipment (flight computer, PDA, display). The principle is to match the manual of the equipment you connect.

2-4. FLARM Traffic Advanced

Determines the range for receiving and warning via FLARM radio, and the level of disclosure of your own aircraft's information.

2-5. Transponder/SSR & ADS-B Receiver

The PowerFLARM Flex has a built-in 1090 MHz receiver, so it can also detect aircraft carrying ADS-B transmitters or transponders (Mode-S/Mode-C). Here you determine how they are handled.

2-6. ADS-L

ADS-L is a lightweight position-broadcast standard whose adoption is progressing in Europe. On this unit, ADS-L license is not present. ADS-L transmission is disabled. is displayed, and transmission is disabled because the license has not been purchased. It is not needed in Japan at present. If you want to use it, add the license through your dealer.

2-7. IGC Recording Advanced

Sets the header information the built-in IGC logger writes to the log and the recording interval. If you are submitting for a competition or record flight, be sure to verify that this is correct before flight.

2-8. Upload Configuration File

Drag and drop a FLARM configuration file (flarmcfg.txt format), or select it with "Browse" and press "Upload," to load the settings in bulk.

Chapter 3Configuration > WiFiConfiguration / WiFi

This is the settings screen for the Wi-Fi access point broadcast by the unit. There are two cards.

3-1. Wi-Fi Access Point

The top field is the SSID, and the bottom field is the password. Enter each one and press "Set SSID" and "Set password", then finally press "Restart" to apply the changes.

3-2. Wireless Auto Shut Off (Wi-Fi Auto Off)

This is a function that automatically turns off Wi-Fi when specified conditions are met. After it turns off, it becomes active again by restarting the unit or by landing (in the case of the in-flight condition).

Chapter 4Configuration > FLARM HubConfiguration / FLARM Hub

These are the settings for the WebGUI (FLARM Hub) itself.

4-1. Lock device (locking the settings)

Setting a password locks the settings against changes. Anyone can view them, but unlocking is required to make changes.

• The password is 8–63 ASCII characters. Make it different from the Wi-Fi password.
• To unlock, use "Unlock until restart". As the name suggests, it is valid until a restart, after which it is automatically re-locked. You can also re-lock it manually.
• If you want to remove the lock, use "Remove password protection".

4-2. Language Selection (display language)

You can choose from three languages: English / Deutsch / Français (Japanese is not available at this time). This document is written assuming the English display.

Chapter 5Maintenance > Software UpdateMaintenance / Software Update

Update the main unit software (PowerFLARM Flex firmware) and the web interface (FLARM Hub). This is the most important maintenance task in daily operation.

5-1. Why Updates Are Necessary

Because all FLARM units communicate using the same radio protocol, the software has an expiration date. A unit past its expiration date cannot maintain compatibility with other units, so it stops transmitting and receiving. In other words, if you neglect updates, one day your FLARM will suddenly stop functioning. Check the Expiration Date on the Status screen regularly.

5-2. Update Procedure

1. On a PC, download the latest software from the relevant product page at flarm.com (the main unit uses .fw, and FLARM Hub uses .bin).
2. Stabilize the power on the aircraft side (a power loss during the update can cause a failure; connect external power if possible).
3. Open Software Update in the WebGUI, and drag & drop the file into the appropriate box, or select it with "Browse".
4. Press "Upload". The progress advances from 0% → 100%, showing "In progress".
5. Once complete, the main unit restarts automatically. Since Wi-Fi disconnects, reconnect and check the new version and expiration date on the Status screen.

Chapter 6Maintenance > Obstacle DatabaseMaintenance / Obstacle Database

This is the screen for installing the obstacle database (.ob2 file) for power lines, antenna towers, cableways, and the like. Once installed, FLARM can issue proximity warnings for obstacles.

• The installation status is displayed at the top of the screen (this unit shows No database installed.).
• The procedure is the same as a software update: drag & drop the .ob2 file, then click "Upload".
• The database has an expiration date and a license. It is distributed by region, and purchases/downloads are made from flarm.com.

Chapter 7Maintenance > IGC FilesMaintenance / IGC Files

This is the screen for listing and downloading the flight records (IGC files) recorded by the built-in logger. It is one of the screens you use most in daily operation.

7-1. Procedure for retrieving logs

1. Press "Load list of files" (or "Refresh list of files" if already loaded). Since the file list is read from the unit, this takes a few to several tens of seconds.
2. Click the file name of the target flight in the list, and that file will be downloaded.
3. If you want to retrieve everything at once, use "Download all files". They are downloaded together as a ZIP, and progress is shown as "Downloading: x%".

7-2. How to read the list

Chapter 8Tools > Traffic MonitorTools / Traffic Monitor

This screen displays FLARM and ADS-B aircraft currently being received in a radar-like view. It is strictly for operational checks and troubleshooting and cannot be used for collision avoidance.

8-1. How to Read the Display

8-2. Important Limitations (Summary of the Official Disclaimer)

Chapter 9Tools > Data PortTools / Data Port

This is a terminal that lets you view the NMEA sentences flowing through the data port directly on screen. Use it to check settings or troubleshoot external devices.

9-1. Operation

9-2. Meaning of commonly seen sentences

Chapter 10Tools > Range AnalyzerTools / Range Analyzer

This is an analysis screen showing how far away aircraft you are actually able to communicate with, based on CARP (Continuous Antenna Range Performance). It amounts to a health check of your antenna installation quality.

10-1. How to read it

• The circle represents bearing (straight up is north), and the concentric circles represent distance (in the figure, 3 km / 7 km / 10 km).
• The filled area is the distance over which you are actually able to communicate in that bearing. Red (Poor range) = insufficient performance.
• If only a particular bearing is extremely dented, it is highly likely that there is an antenna obstruction (canopy frame, carbon structure, equipment shadow) in that direction.
• At the bottom there is the processing date/time and "Print report," which lets you print the report or save it as a PDF.

10-2. Reset CARP

This erases the accumulated measurement data and restarts the analysis from scratch. Three occasions when you should press it are officially indicated.

1. When you newly install the equipment
2. When you replace the PowerFLARM Flex
3. At annual maintenance (before doing so, save the previous year's record with "Print report")

Chapter 11Tools > SimulatorTools / Simulator

This is a function for generating simulated traffic and alerts to verify on the ground whether the connected display and speaker sound correctly.

Chapter 12Tools > IGC Task DeclarationTools / IGC Task Declaration

This is the screen for writing a task declaration for competition and record flights to the logger. The declaration is recorded in the IGC file and serves as evidence of the flight.

12-1. Creating by Manual Entry

1. If you also want to declare the take-off and landing points, check "Declare take-off and landing?".
2. Enter a task name (ASCII, up to 50 characters) in "New task name" and click "Create new task".
3. Add waypoints one by one. For each point, enter the Name (up to 50 characters), Lat, and Lon.
4. Once everything is entered, press "Restart device and activate task". The declaration only becomes valid after the device restarts.

12-2. How to Write Coordinates (Important)

Coordinates must be entered in WGS84 DMM format (degrees and decimal minutes), packed together without any symbols.

12-3. Loading from a File

Drag and drop a declaration file onto "Upload IGC Task Declaration" below, then click "Upload" → "Restart device to activate upload" to apply it. This is the reliable method for importing a task created in SeeYou or similar software.

Chapter 13Tools > SupportTools / Support

This is the screen used for investigating and recovering from problems when they occur. It contains functions that you should not touch during normal operation.

13-1. Support Package

This is a function that bundles the settings and debug information into a ZIP file. Use it when requested by your dealer or the manufacturer. If you check "Include flash dump," a detailed memory dump is also included, but this can take up to one hour. The device cannot be used while it is being created.

13-2. Restart FLARM Hub

This restarts only the Web screen (Hub) side. It is the first operation to try when you experience symptoms such as the screen freezing, being unable to connect, or the display not updating. Transmission and reception by the FLARM unit itself continues.

13-3. Factory Reset Device

Chapter 14AboutAbout

This screen shows the FLARM Hub version, build number, and copyright notice, along with a list of licenses for the open source software in use.

When contacting support, providing the Version / build from this screen together with the Firmware Version and Device ID from the Status screen will speed up the correspondence.

Appendix ADaily Operation ChecklistDaily checklist

A-1. Before Flight (30 seconds on the Status screen)

A-2. After Flight

1. Connect to 10.10.10.10 via Wi-Fi.
2. IGC Files → "Refresh list of files" → download the desired file.
3. Upload to SeeYou / XCSoar / OLC, etc.

A-3. Once a Year (together with annual maintenance)

1. Update the device and FLARM Hub to the latest version via Software Update.
2. Save the "Print report" in Range Analyzer → "Reset CARP".
3. Run each scenario in Simulator and check that the display and sound work correctly.
4. Recheck the settings (aircraft information, ICAO address) and save them as a record.

Appendix BTroubleshootingTroubleshooting

Appendix CGlossaryGlossary