On 2/22/2013 1:05 PM, Sean F (F2) wrote:
Eric,

Isn't it illegal to utilize outside communications while flying an
SSA contest? Things such as cell or satellite accessed weather?
Communicating with outside parties such as ground crew via cell data
networks? By using the non cell phone devices you mention instead of
cell enabled devices, as I understand current US SSA rules, you would
(remember here in the SSA pilots are assumed guilty until proven
innocent :-)) still have the same (SSA ILLEGAL) ability to exchange
digital communications with your crew or other outside parties. Or
imagine having your position relayed every 2 minutes to other pilots
via sneaky crews, etc. Almost as terrible as the myth of Flarm
Leeching. :-). FYI you can secure your DeLorme tracking map with a
simple password...so this is not a big deal.

We are talking about satellite based communications vs. cell phone or
radio based. Wether or not you use a iPod touch or an data/cell
enabled iPhone makes very little difference in the application of
each system. Both are illegal as I understand the rules. I feel
like Johny English with useless instead of effective gadgets (smart
phone AH, etc), but illegal gadgets nonetheless.

My point is that the useful, safety aspects of the DeLorme system
greatly outweighs the dark side cheating risks. Nevertheless this
technology is currently, technically illegal. This should be
addressed....soon....

The other obvious upside of quality satellite tracking adoption by US
amd Candian pilots would be the marketing enjoyment of following
contest and cross country tasks with far better detail! This could
be leveraged into a website for tracking events with live chat or
commentary. Now cool would that be! I have do doe this for sailing
events and it is great fun for all involved.

O jeez! Now the rules committee is probably calling DeLorme and asks
them to disable these features. Damn!!!!

When you said "cell phone", I took you literally. The InReach, as you
know, is not a cell phone.

Do the rules prohibit having a communications device other than a com
radio? Or just prohibit the use of the device? Communication with your
crew is allowed via the radio, so it's not clear to me that
communicating with your crew via InReach is prohibited.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)