How to Import Flights from XContest to Your Logbook

XContest is great for sharing flights and comps, but if you want 3D replay, a searchable logbook, and easy video export, moving your flights into SkyViz makes sense. The whole process takes about 5 minutes per season.

Quick background: what IGC files are and how to export them.

Why Import from XContest?

XContest is built for competitions and sharing. A logbook like SkyViz gives you things XContest doesn't:

• 3D flight replay with realistic terrain
• One-click 3D video export for social media
• A searchable logbook with all your flights in one place
• Flight statistics and progress tracking
• A permanent backup of your flight data

You can keep using XContest for comps and import new flights to SkyViz periodically.

How It Works (Two-Step Process)

The import has two parts: first you import your flight metadata (dates, sites, distances), then optionally add the GPS tracks for 3D visualization and videos.

Step 1: Export and Import Flight Data (JSON)

This brings in all your flight metadata - dates, takeoff sites, distances, and more.

1. Log in to XContest - My Flights
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page
3. Click Export: JSON
4. Save the .json file to your device
5. In SkyViz, go to your Flightbook and click XContest Import
6. Upload the .json file - SkyViz imports all your flights with a progress bar

That's it for the flight data. All your flights now appear in your SkyViz logbook with dates, sites, and stats. If you don't need 3D replay or videos, you can stop here.

Step 2: Add GPS Tracks (IGC Files) - Optional

To get 3D replay and video export, you also need the GPS data. XContest lets you download all your IGC files at once:

1. Go back to XContest - My Flights
2. Click Download: IGC (this downloads a ZIP file with all your IGC files)
3. Extract/unzip the downloaded file
4. In SkyViz, click the IGC upload button in the import dialog
5. Select all the .igc files at once and upload them
6. SkyViz automatically matches each IGC file to the correct flight from Step 1

What Gets Imported?

From the JSON export (Step 1):

• Flight date and time
• Takeoff and landing locations
• Distance, duration, and XContest points
• Flight type (free flight, FAI triangle, etc.)

From the IGC files (Step 2):

• Complete GPS track for map and 3D replay
• Altitude data (GPS and barometric)
• The raw data needed for 3D video export

Multiple Seasons

XContest organizes flights by competition season. If you have flights across multiple seasons, repeat the export/import process for each one. Each round takes about 2-3 minutes.

After Import

Once your flights are in SkyViz, you can:

• Browse all flights in your logbook with search and filters
• View any flight in 3D with realistic terrain
• Create and export 3D videos for Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube
• See your flight stats, progress, and site history
• Add notes or tags to organize your flights