What is an IGC File? Complete Guide for Paragliding Pilots

Quick summary

IGC = standard file format for gliding flights. Your tracker (XCTrack, Burnair, Flyskyhy, etc.) creates one per flight. It’s a small text file (~200-500 KB for a 2 h flight) with GPS track, altitude, timestamps, and flight metadata. You need it for comp verification, 3D replay, logbooks, and making videos. Export from your app after each flight, then use any IGC viewer or logbook that accepts it.

You've just landed and want to see your track in 3D or add it to a logbook - but your app only gives you a 2D map or a list. That’s where IGC files come in. An IGC file is the standard format that records your entire flight: every GPS point, altitude change, and timestamp. Think of it as the raw digital record of where you flew.

Your flight tracking app (XCTrack, Burnair, Flyskyhy, etc.) automatically creates an IGC file every time you fly. It's just a text file, but it contains everything needed to replay your flight, analyze your performance, or create 3D videos.

What's Inside an IGC File?

An IGC file contains your complete flight data:

GPS coordinates - Every point along your flight path
Altitude data - Both GPS altitude and pressure altitude
Timestamps - When each data point was recorded
Flight info - Date, pilot name, glider type, etc.

The file is recorded every few seconds throughout your flight, creating a detailed tracklog. A typical 2-hour flight produces an IGC file around 200-500 KB - small enough to easily share or store.

Why Do You Need IGC Files?

IGC files are essential for:

Competitions: Required to verify your flight claims. No IGC file = no official recognition.
Flight Analysis: See exactly where you found thermals, analyze your glide ratio, and review your decision-making.
3D Visualization: View your flight in 3D with realistic terrain. Much better than a flat 2D map. See 3D IGC viewing in action.
Digital Logbooks: Automatically extract flight statistics (distance, duration, altitude) without manual entry.
Video Creation: Transform your flight into stunning 3D videos for Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

How to Get IGC Files

Most flight tracking apps create IGC files automatically. After your flight, you can export them:

XCTrack: Tap the flight → Share/Export → Export IGC
Burnair: Menu → Flightbook → tap "IGC" on the flight
Flyskyhy: Flight details → Export → IGC format
XContest: Download from your flight page

Need detailed steps? Check out our guide on how to export IGC files.

IGC vs Other Formats

You might wonder how IGC compares to other file formats like GPX or KML:

IGC vs GPX: IGC is specifically designed for gliding sports. It includes pressure altitude (important for paragliding) and security signatures for competition verification. GPX is more general-purpose.
IGC vs KML: KML is great for Google Earth, but doesn't have the detailed altitude and sensor data that IGC files provide.

For paragliding, IGC is the standard - especially if you compete or need official flight verification.

Common Questions

Can I edit an IGC file?

Technically yes, but don't - especially for competitions. Edited files fail security verification and violate competition rules. Keep the original file.

How accurate are IGC files?

Very accurate - typically within a few meters. Modern smartphones and dedicated flight recorders provide excellent GPS accuracy for paragliding.

Do I need IGC files if I'm not competing?

Yes! Even for recreational flying, IGC files are valuable for flight analysis, creating visualizations, building a logbook, and sharing your flights. They're the standard format, so having them makes it easy to use various tools.

Getting Started

Simple workflow:

Record your flight with a tracking app (XCTrack, Burnair, Flyskyhy) - it creates the IGC file automatically
Export the IGC file after landing
Upload to an IGC viewer for 3D replay, import into a logbook, or turn it into a video

If you want one place that does 3D replay, logbook, and video from the same file, SkyViz is built for that - upload and it pulls out the rest.