An IGC file (.igc extension) is a text file format used in flight recorders especially in gliders but also in paragliders in order to certify a performance (circuit performed as planned, altitude gain, duration of a flight, etc.). This format allows in particular the recording of the position (determined via the

satellite navigation A satellite navigation or satnav system is a system that uses satellites to provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning. It allows satellite navigation devices to determine their location (longitude, latitude, and altitude/elevation) to high pr ...

), the recording of the evolution of the altitude (measured by GPS or by barometric sensor) but also of additional information such as the possible ignition of an engine. Specification for this file format is published by the

International Gliding Commission The International Gliding Commission (IGC) is the international governing body for the sport of gliding. It is governed by meetings of delegates from national gliding associations. It is one of several Air Sport Commissions (ASC) of the Fédérati ...

of the International Aeronautical Federation. These files can be created using specialized equipment called FAI recorder or FAI logger (Volkslogger, LXNAV Nano among others) or using certain anti-collision devices ( FLARM) or using a dedicated application that can run on

smartphone A smartphone is a portable computer device that combines mobile telephone and computing functions into one unit. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, whic ...

(XCSoar, LK8000, SeeYou Mobile ...). IGC files can optionally be digitally signed using public key cryptography, so that an IGC file can be verified as being created on a certain flight computer. IGC files generated on smartphones or other multipurpose hardware will not be signed. These files can be viewed (GPS track and altitude in particular) using software running in the form of

rich client In computer networking, a rich client (also called heavy, fat or thick client) is a computer (a "client" in client–server network architecture) that typically provides rich functionality independent of the central server. This kind of computer w ...

GPXSee
for example ) or

web application A web application (or web app) is application software that is accessed using a web browser. Web applications are delivered on the World Wide Web to users with an active network connection. History In earlier computing models like client-serve ...

. Some smartphone applications also allow you to view these files
IGC Viewer & Browser
on Android for example). There are also tools to convert IGC files to tracks in GPX or KML with extension gx:Track format.https://igc2kml.com/ They allow you to view the track made (but lose a lot of information present in the original IGC file such as the circuit declaration).

External links

* https://www.fai.org/page/igc-free-software FREE SOFTWARE FOR IGC-APPROVED GNSS FLIGHT RECORDERS * http://www.ukiws.uk/GFAC/documents/tech_spec_gnss.pdf Technical specification for GNSS flight recorders

Notes and references

* https://www.fai.org/page/igc-approved-flight-recorders * https://www.fai.org/sites/default/files/igc_fr_specification_2020-11-25_with_al6.pdf * https://www.fai.org/sites/default/files/igc-approval_table_history_-_2021-8-22.pdf {{Reflist Aviation technology Text file formats Open formats Computer files

See also

External links

Notes and references