I believe loggers have been required for records during the last
several years. But barographs & turnpoint photos were admissible
evidence for badges.

My diamond GOAL flight (in a 1-26) was saved by the fact that I
carried a Replogle barograph and disposable cameras (and I read
pertinent parts of Jackie Payne's Badge Book -- especially about
taking another declaration picture when a relight is required to fly
the day away). I had inadvertently entered the wrong longitude for my
start point using that "comfortable DOS software" that I had no choice
but to use with the Volkslogger I still have.

So the paper declaration (with correct lat-lon), barograph and
turnpoint cameras saved the day (and the diamond), and the Badge Lady
appreciated double documentation!

For those of us that can't afford two loggers (recommended by contest
and OLC Champion pilots...), the old dusty barograph & cameras are a
reasonable way to "back up" the normal (and much easier) documentation
obtained by a logger.

In my humble opinion, IGC should still allow barograph and photos for
BADGES, for the sake of TRADITION, if for no other reason. Well,
economy for clubs and neophyte pilots would be another. I think they
(and our representatives in the US) missed the mark. It may be tough
to reverse the tide, but we could request that they revise the
"Sporting" Code (again) and re-allow "old tech" flight recording
devices (barographs & turnpoint photos). The OO's bear the greatest
burden these tools impose (over loggers) -- maybe the Badge
administrators would voice different opinions. If somebody wants to
start a petition to "bring back barographs," I'll happily sign it (and
risk the wrath of the Badge Lady -- I still have to fly a diamond
distance flight to finish my 1-26 trio).

The other reason they should still allow barograph & photos is the
frequent jamming of GPS, which can destroy or contaminate evidence of
an otherwise exemplary flight. This has happened to me (though it
wasn't really an exemplary flight).

FWIW, my five hour endurance for Silver & Gold were documented by a
ground observer. All other legs (including diamond goal and diamond
altitude) were recorded using a Replogle and disposable cameras
(though the OO for the diamond climb chose to use the PRINT from an EW
electronic barograph I was also carrying...but then this device would
no longer be admissable, either!!!).

Yes, all I flew all my badge legs in a 1-26, so you can accuse me of
wanting to do things "the hard way." That is, of course, why I chose
to buy a Volkslogger!

-Pete
#309