GPS Flight Track - Google Earth

by apnewton | September 28, 2014 | (7) Posted in How To

Here's how I used my GPS running watch (Garmin Forerunner 110) to record a Radian thermal flight to 230m and view it in Google Earth. You could use a dedicated GPS flight recorder but I already had the watch. 

Strap the watch onto your glider, adjust CG by moving the battery forward.

Record the flight.

Transfer the flight file to Garmin Training Center on your Mac or PC.

Export the flight file from Garmin Training Center as TCX - Training Center XML file.

You can import this straight into Google Earth but with no choice of trace colour. 

For more colour and appearance choices Import the TCX file into GPSvisualizer.com

Choose Google Earth KML to get more export options

Change "Altitude mode" to "Absolute (for flight)". This prevent the track from being locked down to ground level by Google Earth.

Change "Colorize by" to "Altitude". This gives different colours for increasing heights and a legend in the Google Earth side bar.

Import the resulting KMZ file into Google Earth and view your flight in all it's wonderful 3Dness.

 

More Radian videos 

Radian Maiden

View from a Radian

Radian slope soaring (and getting attacked by seagulls)

COMMENTS

flying panda on October 3, 2014
Very cool seeing the flight track in 3D. Nice one.
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stormboy on October 7, 2014
Strewth. Now you have a new use for your Garmin, you can give up running :)
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kate on April 6, 2017
It is an amazing experience with GPS running watch. Record your home screen with latest ios app everycord screen recorder. Get Everycord ios download to record home screen.
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jamesnathan on April 20, 2018
We all know that Garmin is one of best devices when it comes to GPS, navigation. Garmin is not only best for travelers but it's also very helpful for an ordinary person. Garmin devices can save your time by giving you real time traffic information.
According to me if there is a word GPS then there must be Garmin.
But along with high features, some technical issues also comes, which might be difficult to resolve by a non-tech person. So, those are having issue with their Garmin devices e.g. update map, Synchronizing with iphone etc contact garmin customer service.
for more details:- shorturl.at/kvz29
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GPS Flight Track - Google Earth