On May 11, 6:36*pm, John Cochrane
wrote:
I wrote an article for Soaring, that will appear in the July issue.
Title: "Gizmo Future." A somewhat unusual view of the "what's in the
future for Soaring" kind of article. It's on my webpage if you just
can't wait for July,

http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/john...ers/gizmo.html

John Cochrane

It was a well written and thought provoking article by John. Thanks.
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that we have limited technology from
the very beginning of this sport. I could beat all the competition if
they would only let me fly with an operating engine. In trout
fishing,
it would be much more productive to use a spot light at night, a gill
net, or even dynamite. But someone was wise enough to say that
wouldn't be sporting. It was not an irrational fear but a legitimate
concern for the sport they loved. This is a sport too and we should
not feel bad about placing some limit on what resources are allowed.
Now bass fisherman use fish finders and big motors so that becomes
another sport entirely. So there are arbitrary guidelines that we
must
think about and establish.
It seems logical to me to disallow information compiled by others and
transmitted to the glider. If this were true weather information
compiled by professionals or computer equipped crew would be out of
bounds. Instead the pilot would have to continue to demonstrate their
ability to read the weather in the air.
Another limit could restrain the transmission and subsequent
reception
of energy to artificially enhance the pilot’s vision. This would rule
out on-board radar and thermal detection. Exceptions could be made
for
items that enhance safety like radio transceivers (of course) and
flarm.
With thermal detectors we'll see the use of autopilots and software
to
center thermals automatically and to calculate the best energy line.
Yes, it is in the works. Two people talked to me last year to see if
I
thought it would be possible for use in drones. Perhaps this should
be
placed out of bounds for our sport for it would vastly decrease the
amount of pilot skill necessary to complete a task.
These are just examples of how limits could be thoughtfully imposed.
Other lines could be drawn. My point is that the idea of no limits is
not consistent with the history or spirit of the sport and leads to
more homogenous pilot performance and a less interesting flying
experience.
XC