On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 8:53:47 AM UTC-5, Richard wrote:
On Monday, January 12, 2015 at 2:59:50 PM UTC-8, John Cochrane wrote:
The Iphones really aren't the problem. Flight computers with AHRS, miniaturized ones you can keep in your pocket, and the fact you can cloud fly with a fast update moving map GPS is the problem. We had a bunch of wildly complex rules about disabling AHRS in flight computers, which nobody was paying any attention to. The clamor for simpler rules is also loud.

VFR flight only is expressly part of the rules and philosophy.

No voice or data communication from people on the ground will be a clear and explicit part of the rules and philosophy.

As you said, we have to rely on unsportsmanlike conduct for these. Writing rules and enforcement procedures to ban carriage of the equipment is just not feasible any more. If you're going to have a crew sending up data, and you start winning contests, you're going to have to put a lot of effort in to keeping it a secret.

BB

John,

I have been to 4 contests since the wildly complex rule about disabling the AHRS in flight was adopted. I complied with the rule at all 4 contests.

Although the CD's had no idea what I was talking about or doing when I showed them and disabled the Butterfly Vario AHRS.

I agree that we should simplify the rules.

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

Wildly complex defined as disabling the AHRS feature through available software and being prepared to show it is disabled if asked.
Butterfly has the feature and has provided a way to comply. They worked with the US RC and the result is a good one in my view.
When I started racing, an official went around and checked that the gyros were out. We're a lot more trusting these days. Fortunately sportsmanship seems to prevail.
UH