Eric,

Isn't it illegal to utilize outside communications while flying an SSA contest? Things such as cell or satellite accessed weather? Communicating with outside parties such as ground crew via cell data networks? By using the non cell phone devices you mention instead of cell enabled devices, as I understand current US SSA rules, you would (remember here in the SSA pilots are assumed guilty until proven innocent :-)) still have the same (SSA ILLEGAL) ability to exchange digital communications with your crew or other outside parties. Or imagine having your position relayed every 2 minutes to other pilots via sneaky crews, etc. Almost as terrible as the myth of Flarm Leeching. :-). FYI you can secure your DeLorme tracking map with a simple password...so this is not a big deal.

We are talking about satellite based communications vs. cell phone or radio based. Wether or not you use a iPod touch or an data/cell enabled iPhone makes very little difference in the application of each system. Both are illegal as I understand the rules. I feel like Johny English with useless instead of effective gadgets (smart phone AH, etc), but illegal gadgets nonetheless.

My point is that the useful, safety aspects of the DeLorme system greatly outweighs the dark side cheating risks. Nevertheless this technology is currently, technically illegal. This should be addressed....soon....

The other obvious upside of quality satellite tracking adoption by US amd Candian pilots would be the marketing enjoyment of following contest and cross country tasks with far better detail! This could be leveraged into a website for tracking events with live chat or commentary. Now cool would that be! I have do doe this for sailing events and it is great fun for all involved.

O jeez! Now the rules committee is probably calling DeLorme and asks them to disable these features. Damn!!!!

:-)