# US Sailplane IGC / XCscore / FAI Badge Flight Validator

Parse an FAI IGC flight-recorder file (A/H/I/C/B/F/L/G records) end to end and audit it like a badge secretary: takeoff/release/landing detection (ENL engine-noise or tow kinematics), total altitude gain, OLC/XCscore-style optimal free distance over the convex hull, best FAI triangle against the 28% shortest-side rule, out-and-return distance, pre-flight C-record declaration chain (declared-before-takeoff, task shape, FAI triangle check), loss-of-height rules, and the G-record security audit with signed-stream coverage reconstruction (H O/P and non-manufacturer L records excluded per the IGC specification). Evaluates Silver / Gold / Diamond badge elements and the 750 km + 250 km diploma ladder.

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/us-sailplane-soaring-xcscore-flight-igc-fai-badge-declaration-validator

- **Category:** Sports

- **Keywords:** igc file parser, fai badge claim, soaring validator, xcscore free distance, fai triangle 28 rule, g record audit, flight declaration, vincenty geodesic, silver gold diamond badge, barograph analysis

## Overview

This validator reads the IGC flight data file the way FAI badge software does: it decodes every record type (header metadata, task declaration, fixes with pressure/GNSS altitude and ENL engine noise), reconstructs the flight phases, then scores the optimal cross-country distances (free distance with up to 5 turnpoints over the convex hull — the OLC/XCscore convention — plus FAI triangle and out-and-return). Badge thresholds follow FAI Sporting Code Section 3: Silver 1000 m gain + 5 h duration + 50 km, Gold 3000 m + 300 km, Diamond 5000 m gain + 300 km declared goal + 500 km, diplomas from 750 km in 250 km steps. The security section audits the G record structurally — position, charset, encoding family, and the signed-stream coverage (every record except H O/P-source and pilot L records) — and states plainly that cryptographic verification itself needs the manufacturer VALI program and public key, exactly as the IGC specification prescribes for third-party software.

## Inputs

- **Flight source** (select)
- **IGC file content (when pasting)** (textarea): AFLA123 HFDTE240925 ...
- **Free-distance turnpoints (1–5)** (number): 5

## When to use

- Auditing an official badge claim for FAI Silver, Gold, Diamond legs, or distance diplomas.
- Checking pre-flight task declarations and loss-of-height margins immediately after an XC soaring flight.
- Evaluating optimal free-distance, out-and-return, or FAI triangle geometries from raw IGC barograph and fix data.

## How it works

- Select a pre-loaded synthetic flight or paste raw IGC file content containing header, task declaration (C), and fix (B) records.
- The parser decodes fix coordinates, GNSS/pressure altitudes, and ENL engine noise levels to isolate free-flight release and landing phases.
- Geodesic algorithms calculate optimal multi-turnpoint distances, convex hull free distances, FAI triangle proportions, and maximum altitude gains.
- An interactive HTML report renders the barograph trace, flight path plot, FAI badge eligibility matrix, and G-record structural audit.

## Use cases

- Glider pilots checking whether an afternoon soaring flight satisfied Silver duration or Gold distance requirements before submitting paperwork.
- Badge secretaries screening declared C-record timestamps against takeoff fixes and confirming task geometries meet FAI sporting codes.
- Cross-country pilots optimizing turnpoint selections (up to 5 turnpoints) along their convex hull to maximize XCscore and OLC points.

## Frequently asked questions

### What badge elements does this validator check?

It evaluates FAI Silver (1,000 m gain, 5 h duration, 50 km distance), Gold (3,000 m gain, 300 km distance), Diamond legs (5,000 m gain, 300 km goal, 500 km distance), and diploma tiers starting at 750 km.

### How does the tool determine aerotow release or engine stop?

It analyzes high Engine Noise Level (ENL) transitions alongside kinematic speed and climb rate profiles to pinpoint the start of unpowered free soaring.

### What is the 28% rule for FAI triangles?

For FAI triangle badge tasks under 750 km, the shortest leg must represent at least 28% of the total triangular course distance.

### Does this tool cryptographically validate the G-record signature?

No, it audits G-record presence, syntax, and signed-stream line coverage; cryptographic verification requires the manufacturer's proprietary VALI program and public key.

### How is loss-of-height evaluated for distance claims?

It verifies that the altitude loss between the release point (or start fix) and the finish point does not exceed the FAI margin of 1,000 meters or 1% of the total distance.

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## Samples

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- [Copyright-Free FLAC Audio Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/flac-samples): Lossless FLAC audio samples for testing and development, mirrored from MP3 set with nature sounds and meditation music
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