On Mar 1, 10:14*am, Mike the Strike wrote:
*Instead of all the over-complex technology arguments it would be

much simpler for the competition director to state a maximum flying
altitude for the day based on forecast cloud-base altitudes. *This could be
say 500' below the lowest expected cloud-base on task. *The obvious
objection that this would prevent pilots from fully exploiting conditions
is no more valid that banning cloud flying in the first place - it is
simply one more constraint to add to the many that competition pilots
expect.

As the guy who forecasts weather, including cloud-base height, at
quite a few contests in the US west, I am afraid the idea of a "
declared contest cloud-base" (akin to contest sunset) is not really
workable. *We experience wide variability of cloud base, depending on
may factors, including time-of-day and location. *I have flown under
clouds on one side of a mountain and over them on the other! *I am
also unwilling to restrict altitude for pilots flying in mountainous
terrain, where an extra 500 feet can make the difference between
clearing a ridge and whacking into it.

I do fly at least part of most contest tasks as an observer and to
validate my forecasts. *It is in this role that I have observed what
you might call "unsportsmanlike" flying. *So far, I haven't reported
any infractions to the CD, but a few observations have found their way
into my morning weather briefings.

Maybe it's time to have a few referees flying with the competitors?

Mike

Are you saying people already fly in the clouds?