Product Development

Release Notes

This page documents the path of TRA INFO HUB from the first WhatsApp text generator to today's platform for status data, archives, widgets, APIs and flight analysis. The current project version is v0.6.0.

The releases explain not only what was built, but also why: more transparency around TRA information, less friction for clubs and a stronger data basis for pilots and external tools.

Documented period: 17.01.2025 to 10.04.2026.

View goals in the TRA Info Hub Open current TRA overview

Current state v0.6.0 Pilot run since 2025

Today

TRA INFO HUB has grown from a simple helper tool into an Austria-wide platform for TRA status, archives, widgets, APIs and analysis functions.

Current focus

With v0.6.0 the IGC area was separated more clearly toward BeyondXC, uploads were protected and the new Widget V2 went live.

Product line

Development continues to follow the same goals as TRA INFO HUB: better flight safety, clean data chains and useful interfaces for the community.

Version history

Major development steps

Starting from a very concrete communication problem, TRA INFO HUB grew release by release toward an Austria-wide infrastructure for air sports information.

Separation, protection and a much more mature frontend

With v0.6.0 the IGC Analyzer was split toward BeyondXC so the flight analysis area can evolve as a clean separate module. Uploads now require registration, while existing flights remain visible anonymously without login. In parallel, the new NOTAM, Air Use Plan and TRA widget went online in version 2. The first visible steps toward German and English support were added as well.

IGC Analyzer, weather data and more community feedback

From v0.5.0 onward, the focus was strongly on the IGC Analyzer. Weather data from the Meteostat API was integrated to make QNE-to-QNH conversions more robust and to further improve airspace evaluation. Statistics and archive pages were expanded and the WhatsApp community created a direct channel for hints, feedback and real operational experience.

Visualisation, maps and widgets make the data tangible

With v0.4.0 the data hub became a visible product. Visualisations, map views and widgets made the information directly understandable for normal users. Air Use Plan, NOTAM and ATIS information has been archived and provided since then. The Austria Widget V1 also went live, combining TRAs and the Air Use Plan in one view.

From individual regions to the complete national structure

With v0.3.0, around 1 July 2025 all Austrian TRAs were added, clubs were created and the broad automatic ATIS integration was rolled out. This ended the early phase in which the system mainly covered Schöckl, Bruck and Almenland reliably. A local helper became a platform with national ambition.

The start of automated data processing

With v0.2.0 the actual system logic began. Initial automation was built, ATIS was integrated and more clubs plus additional TRAs were connected. The platform moved beyond purely manual maintenance toward a continuously updated information hub.

Activation dashboard, user accounts and first history records

After the early prototype, the TRA activation dashboard was expanded consistently. User logins created clear responsibility for the first time, and the first archives laid the foundation for traceability and later analysis. A single function became a usable working tool for responsible operators.

The first practical helper for Schöckl, Almenland and Bruck

It all began with a single page that provided a WhatsApp text generator for TRA Schöckl, Almenland and Bruck. The focus was very concrete: create easy-to-understand activation information quickly and pass it into club communication without friction. This later became today's product idea for the Hub.

Bridge steps

Important bridge releases

Not every improvement landed exactly on a main release. Several intermediate versions were especially important because they opened the Hub technically and strategically to external systems.

Opening toward external devices and developers

In this intermediate step, all Austrian TRAs except LOWS were forwarded to XContest. The data also became available as JSON for vario developers for the first time, making the platform more useful in external ecosystems.

LOXZ integration with manual club entries

This intermediate step started partial availability of LOXZ TRA data. LOXZ clubs could also maintain their entries manually in the system, which mapped an important operational special case for the first time.

First productive XContest integration

With TRA Schöckl, Almenland and Bruck, XContest was connected directly for the first time. This was the step from an internal tool to a public-facing interface for pilots and apps.

Archive horizon

Data availability and hard cutoffs

These dates are important when interpreting older archives and explain why some early datasets are still incomplete or only regionally available.

Air Use Plan archive start

Air Use Plan (AUP) data is not available before 5 July 2025. Earlier periods therefore cannot be fully reconstructed in the archive and AUP-related evaluations.

ATIS Austria-wide

Automatic ATIS TRA data is limited or unavailable before 1 July 2025. Before that, the system mainly covered TRA Schöckl, Bruck and Almenland reliably.

LOXZ data integration

LOXZ TRA data is only partially available from 1 September 2025. This matches intermediate version v0.4.5, when LOXZ clubs became able to maintain their entries manually in the system.

Guardrails

Goals that connect the releases

The release notes follow the same product goals as the TRA Info Hub page. The platform is not meant to simply collect more features, but to noticeably improve daily flight operations.

Make TRA information digitally and reliably available beyond the classic ATIS, radio or recorded-message model.

Combine official sources such as Air Use Plan, NOTAMs and digital ATIS and present them in an understandable way.

Store activations, deactivations and archive data long term with clear traceability.

Provide current states via API, JSON or widgets for XCTrack, XContest and other third-party systems.

Model authorised input, club structures and permissions cleanly so responsibility remains traceable.

Continue expanding maps, analysis and checking tools to help prevent airspace violations early.

Broaden the platform in content and language, including English and further integrations for the community.

Already delivered

Foundation in place

ATIS, Air Use Plan and relevant NOTAMs are already imported automatically and archived.
Activation and deactivation times are available as structured data and can be used by third-party systems.
Input interfaces, permission management, club structures and Austria-wide TRA coverage are in place.
Widgets, archives, statistics and maps make the information visible and verifiable for users.
XContest, XCTrack and open JSON data already provide robust external integrations.

Next focus

What comes next

More integrations for vario manufacturers and external platforms.
Further expansion of the German-English interface and clearer international usability.
Continued separation and product maturity around BeyondXC and flight analysis.