Some limits are necessary

Recall that the very first variometer was used experimentally and
secretively to win a contest in Germany.

At 16:08 18 May 2011, wrote:
On May 18, 11:23=A0am, bildan wrote:
On May 18, 8:01=A0am, Sean wrote:





It was a well written and thought provoking article by John. Thanks.

Let=92s 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=92s 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

While a reasoned post, it strikes me as 'a priori' by suggesting
technology be outlawed before it's been invented. =A0It would seem a
better approach is to wait until a technology exists and outlaw only
if it generates a tilted playing field favoring one competitor over
another.

It also overestimates the effectiveness of potential technology.
=A0For
example, a remote thermal detector, no matter the range or accuracy,
cannot forecast the future. =A0It might show a good thermal at 10
kilometers range but it cannot say that thermal will still be there
when you arrive. =A0In fact, you could almost guarantee it won't be
there and heading for the location would be counterproductive.

If soaring weather has one consistent feature, it's that it changes
on
a short time scale - often in minutes. =A0A successful pilot will
always
need to be a good forecaster no matter the "data" available in the
cockpit.

As a long time user of autopilots in airplanes, I'm pretty sure they
will eventually appear in gliders. =A0However, using one correctly
requires a fairly high level of knowledge - otherwise, they can get
you in trouble fast. =A0For example, if you gave it a task "fly this
thermal while I work on strategy", it would keep circling long after
you should have left the thermal. =A0Managing autopilots can require
more brain cycles than hand flying the aircraft.

Most likely, new technology will just "expand the sandbox" by
allowing
longer, faster and more reliable flights. =A0Contest tasks will expand
with the sandbox assuring pilots will remain challenged. =A0CD: "Well,
I
was going to call a 300km task but since you guys have all the new
gizmos, it's going to be a 1000km task."- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

On the other hand, if the people responsible for this process
establish and communicate the philosophy of
what will or will not be permitted, it can prevent a small company
from developing something that gets outlawed
and puts their investment in the garbage.
The dialog about how these guidelines could evolve is the basis for
BB's article.
UH