Firmware 5.42 is out, and it comes with the news we were waiting for: FAI approval for every GliderKeeper model. You'll find it on the Downloads page.
FAI approved on every model
On 22 September 2026 the FAI issued approval AMRT068 for firmware 5.42 on all four models: GliderKeeper (309), GliderKeeper v2 (309 V2), GliderKeeper Pico (311) and GliderKeeper Pro (314).
With 5.41 the approval covered the Pro only, and every other model had to stay on firmware x.32 for official competition. Not any more: with 5.42 all your GliderKeepers run the same firmware, in competition too.
Firmwares covered by the approval:
- FAI F — First Class F5J (World and European Championships), no emergency motor restart.
- FAI S — Second Class F5J (e.g. Eurotour), emergency motor restart enabled.
- F5L, with and without emergency motor restart (30 s / 90 m).
- F5K (7 s / 60 m).
AMRT068 approval letter (PDF)
The full letter is also on the Documentation page.
The fix for the safety advisory
5.42 is the permanent fix for September's safety advisory: during start-up, in Wi-Fi mode and while updating, the ESC output carries no signal at all.
This particular update still runs from an affected firmware: power the GliderKeeper from an external supply and either disconnect the ESC or remove the propeller. From 5.42 on, that is no longer needed.
What's new since 5.41
Faster, more reliable Bluetooth flight downloads
- Faster downloads, especially on iPhone. The send rate now adapts to what the connection can take. There used to be a fixed pause between packets; now it is much shorter and only grows when the link is congested. A long flight downloads in noticeably less time.
- More robust when the connection drops. If Bluetooth drops in the middle of a download, the GliderKeeper stops sending at once and frees the memory. You no longer need to restart it to reconnect.
Safer firmware and interface updates
- The unit no longer restarts on its own after an update. When it finishes, it shows "Cycle Power Now" with both LEDs blinking fast. Disconnect and reconnect the battery to start on the new version.
- No motor signal during the update. While updating over Bluetooth, the ESC output carries no signal at all.
- Wrong-file warning. If you pick an interface file that doesn't match, the unit shows "Bad Filename" instead of restarting with no explanation.
- Older interface files accepted. File names from earlier versions work again.
- Correct display during Bluetooth updates. A firmware update no longer shows "UI UPDATE", and the progress percentage is right.
Safer with the ESC
- No ESC signal until the unit is ready. During start-up and in Wi-Fi mode the motor output carries no signal; it used to send the motor-stopped signal. The motor-stopped signal now only starts when the unit enters ground mode, ready to fly.
- More reliable receiver signal-loss detection. Glitchy readings no longer make the unit believe it is still getting a valid signal from the receiver.
More accurate landing detection
We have further improved the landing detection algorithm.
Button reset in STD and ALES too
Resetting with the button, throttle at minimum, now also works in the STD and ALES firmwares. In these two modes the reset does not discard the flight in progress.
Display improvements
- Colour display: on the ground, the flight number (FLT#) shows the last flight flown, matching the time and height next to it.
- Colour display, F3G: in the energy phase the label now reads "W·min" instead of "F5J h".
- Small OLED display: long messages such as "Cycle Power Now" are split over two lines so they can be read in full.