IGC Bureau announcement - Review of World Record procedures and of legacy types of GNSS Recorders

The IGC Bureau recently made the following announcement to IGC Delegates
regarding the approval level of some IGC approved Flight Recorders. It
has also been publicised on the igc-discuss list ).
I have been asked by the Bureau to put it out on newsgroup r.a.s. so
that it has the widest distribution.

The Bureau are currently organising a panel to review World Record
procedures. If you wish to make a contribution to this review, please
send any comments to Brian Spreckley, Chairman, IGC World Championships
Review Panel ).

---------- Bureau Announcement ---------

IGC Bureau Review of
Proposed Changes to IGC-approval Levels
for GNSS Flight Recorders

Conclusions and Actions

by Bob Henderson, President, International Gliding Commission

The 2004 Plenum session of the IGC mandated the IGC Bureau to conduct a
review of the proposed changes to approval level of certain IGC approved
flight recorders. The Bureau appointed a review panel who, after
considerable deliberation and with the assistance of the IGC GFA
committee, have made the following recommendation which the Bureau
unanimously endorses.

1. Recommendations

1.1 Until a more thorough review of all aspects of supervision and
homologation have been completed, the review group do not consider that
the IGC should proceed with the downgrading of currently approved Flight
Recorders (FRs) for reasons of the security of the IGC flight data file.

1.2 There should be a thorough review of World Record procedures and
the World Record homologation process. The review should also include
the role and responsibilities of the Official Observer.

1.3 The review of World Record procedures and homologation process
should begin as soon as possible.

1.4 The review should be conducted by an appointed panel, chaired by an
IGC Bureau member and including the Chairman of the Sporting Code
Committee and a representative of the GNSS or GFA committees.

1.5 Other members of the panel may be appointed by the Bureau as deemed
appropriate and may include staff from the FAI office.

1.6 The broad objectives of the review will be to:

1.6.1 Consider all the issues raised by the GFAC committee in
their responses to this initial review of proposed changes to FR levels
of approval.

1.6.2 Consider all aspects of OO involvement, FR security and
FAI processes in the control and homologation of World Records.

1.6.3 Establish a long term policy regarding the issues of
rapidly changing technology, to ensure that the gliding movement may
continue to enjoy a wide ranging and affordable choice of FRs.

1.6.4 Determine what changes to World Record procedures and
homologation process should be considered.

1.6.5 Present a "year one" proposal for any additional, or
changed requirements to the next IGC Plenum session.


2. Effects of the Bureau Recommendations

2.1 The GFAC recommendation that the approval level of the early
Filser LX20 and the Peschges VP8 be changed to "all IGC badge and
distance diploma" is supported and the level change will become
effective on 1 October 2004.

2.2 The GFAC recommendation that the approval level of the Print
Technik GR1000 be changed to "all IGC badge and distance diploma" is
supported with the following condition:

2.2.1 That Print Technik be provided with the opportunity to
reseal GR1000 units at the factory and to ensure that these units comply
with the specification as originally approved. Units resealed by Print
Technik will be reissued and will remain at the full approval status.
Note: Negotiations are currently underway between GFAC and Print Technik
regarding the details of this condition (later note from GFAC: the
re-sealed units will be known as the model GR1000A and have a
longer-lasting internal battery and a different electronic security
system. GR1000A units will have "all flights" IGC-approval level).

2.3 The Zander 940 and the Cambridge models 10, 20, 25 will not have
their level of approval changed at this time.

------- end of Bureau announcement ---------

--
Ian Strachan
Chairman, IGC GNSS Flight Recorder Approval Committee



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