This is not an official statement but it "may" be illegal although it is completely unenforceable and is entirely unenforced.

My original arguement (this thread) remains. I say that safety is an over-arching principle at all times.

The US RC saw things differently. They even went to the extent of calling up all the instrument manufacturers and requiring them to produce a "US contest mode." Nope, I'm not kidding. I still refer to it (US competition mode, aka AHRS disabled) as US RC suicide mode. This mode, of course, disables the safety purpose of AHRS, for a couple weeks, even if you have purchased it or own it. They even attacked XC Soar's tiny 1cm and useless AHRS box and had them produce a US contest version of XC Soar.

I say that if someone wants to cheat (cloud flying), let them. They will eventually be caught. And they will have to live with themselves.

I say that disabling potentially life saving safety equipment (see: powerFlarm stealth mode) is quite dangerous and is more likely to kill an innocent pilot who makes a mistake, rather than deter a pilot who wants to cheat using instruments restricted by rules which are entirely unenforced.

A guy crashed into downtown Reno a few years ago when he was sucked into wave clouds. I think AHRS is important stuff.

Finally, their "unwillingness" to answer your polite and simple question here is amusing and unsurprising. Don't feel alone. This is common place.

#goodoldboys