If you've come across Flymaster instruments with the word "Live" attached, you've probably wondered what it changes compared with a regular vario-GPS. The answer comes down to two words: real-time tracking. And believe me, it's not just a marketing line. I've been flying for nearly 30 years, and the day live tracking landed in our harnesses, a fair few things changed — for safety as much as for the simple pleasure of sharing a flight.
Let's walk through it together, calmly. What is live tracking for? Who actually benefits from it? And what does the "Live"-oriented Flymaster range bring in general? I won't throw figures at you from memory — for exact specs and up-to-date prices, head over to the shop, that's where everything is kept current.
So what is live tracking, exactly?
A "Live" instrument is a standard vario-GPS with an added SIM card (or data connection) that transmits your position to the ground while you fly. In plain terms: while you're coring a thermal, your track appears on an online map, in near real time, viewable by anyone you've given the link to.
Where a classic GPS records your track and shows it once you've landed, the Live version broadcasts it while you fly. That's the whole difference. And that difference matters most on three fronts: safety, sharing, and cross-country retrieval.
1. Safety first
This is the first argument, and by far the most important. When you set off on a long cross-country far from anything, or fly in an isolated spot, live tracking lets your family — or your ground crew — know where you are. At all times.
Picture the classic scenario: you land out in a remote field with no phone signal, or worse, you've had a problem. Your instrument's last transmitted position is precious information for someone coming to fetch you. I've seen retrievals organised in minutes simply because the family was watching the track online and knew exactly which valley to head for.
It's not a medical rescue device, mind — it doesn't replace a distress beacon or your phone. But as a passive safety net it's remarkably effective, especially for hike-and-fly or wild cross-country.
2. Sharing your flight, live
Here we get to pure pleasure. Your mates back on the ground, your partner, your kids — they can follow your flight from the sofa. The track climbing, the cloudbase you tag, the cross-country stretching out kilometre after kilometre.
And let's be honest: when you land an 80-kilometre flight and everyone has followed it live, the debrief at the club bar tastes that bit better. Live tracking is also about that — connection, sharing, a bit of friendly rivalry between pilots.
3. Cross-country retrieval and competition
For the cross-country pilot, live tracking has become a standard. In competition, organisers rely on it to follow competitors and keep tasks safe. On a personal cross, it lets your retrieve driver position themselves intelligently, even shadow you by car to be in the right place when you land.
If you're into serious cross-country, you know how much retrieve logistics can ruin a great day. Live tracking is a game-changer. Your driver knows where you are, anticipates your line, and you save a huge amount of time.
Which pilot is it for?
Not every pilot flies the same way, and live tracking doesn't serve everyone equally. Here's how I see it, after years advising pilots of all levels at the workshop.
| Pilot profile | Value of live | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner / local flying | Low — you stay near launch, your family can see you | Optional |
| EN-B leisure pilot starting small cross-country | Useful — safety and sharing | Comfort |
| Regular cross-country pilot | High — retrieval, safety, sharing | Recommended |
| Competitor | Near essential — often mandatory in tasks | Essential |
| Hike-and-fly / isolated terrain | High — safety in no-signal areas | Strongly advised |
If you're a beginner circling above launch, honestly, keep your money: live tracking won't bring you much until you start straying further afield. But the moment you begin going long, heading out on cross-country, exploring remote corners — that's when it makes full sense.
What the Flymaster Live range brings in general
Flymaster is a brand we carry at Rid'Air, and one that has built a solid reputation among cross-country pilots and competitors. The brand's "Live" philosophy rests on the idea of a complete flight instrument — vario, GPS, navigation — with the added in-flight position transmission.
In general, here's what you find with this Live orientation:
- A responsive vario paired with a GPS, for navigation and classic track logging;
- Position transmission over mobile networks, feeding the online tracking map;
- Cross-country navigation tools — sectors, optimisation, airspace depending on the model;
- Integration with the brand's tracking ecosystem, viewable on computer or smartphone.
I'm staying deliberately general here, because the range evolves and each model has its quirks. Screen size, battery life, navigation options, whether or not a SIM is built in — all of that depends on the version. For exact specs and up-to-date prices, the best move is to look straight at the listings in our shop, in the flight instruments category. That's where everything is kept current — I don't want to quote you a figure that may have changed since.
An important caveat: live isn't magic
Real-time tracking depends on network coverage. Deep in an Alpine valley with no signal, transmission may pause and resume when you cross back into a covered area. That's normal — it's down to mobile telephony, not the instrument. Keep that in mind: live tracking is an excellent complement, but it doesn't replace common sense, or a flight plan shared with your loved ones before you launch.
Likewise, data transmission means a subscription or SIM card to manage. Again, that depends on the model and the package. We explain all of that when we advise you — that's our job.
Our Rid'Air recommendation
At Rid'Air, we advise as pilots, not as salespeople. My advice is simple: choose your instrument based on your real flying, not the flying you dream of. If you do three cross-country flights a year, a Live instrument is fully justified. If you mostly soar above the cliff, ask yourself how useful it really is.
What sets us apart since 1977 with the CEM is hands-on advice: we fly, we know the instruments, we know what genuinely helps on cross-country and what's just a gadget. We also have the workshop for follow-up, and the responsiveness to ship to you fast. And on price, we remain the cheapest on the market — on instruments as on everything else.
If you're torn between several Flymaster models, or want to know whether live is relevant to your flying, get in touch. We take the time to understand how you fly before pointing you anywhere. And if you're preparing your first real cross-country flights, take a look at our cross-country guide: choosing the right instrument is part of the equation, but preparation and reading the air count at least as much.
To explore the range and current specs, head to the shop, flight instruments section.
Fly safe,
Cyrille MARCK et l'équipe Rid'Air/CEM
