Im 100% with Marc on this one. You only create division with this type of
Rule. I guess I have been in violation for the past 2 contests by carrying
my Droid. And frankly I don't think I would fly in contests if required to
buy another phone dedicated to contests. I really thought that the RC was
heading in the right direction and trying to make the rules simpler, but
alas-- this.

I appreciate all the work that they do and bless them for taking on the
responsibility but you can't write everything out and expect people to
come and enjoy contest flying. I thought the goal was simplify and to get
more people into contest flying. You are making it difficult for me to
convince the newbies to get involved.

And while we are at it lets bring up the instant change to insurance rules
which is going to prevent me from flying at least the first half of the
year as I am insured with Avemco. That change sure smacks of nepotism and a
monopoly.

Don't worry guys Ill still try and fly into the contest sites and visit,
but guess I won't be competing with you Ill just settle for OLC and fly
home for points

CH Ventus B



These are just two examples of several such devices on the market. In
essence, to prevent use of devices like this, it woud be necessary to
ban all programmable Bluetooth-capable PDA, PNA, smart phone, and
tablet devices, or search the gliders and frisk the pilots on a daily
basis. I am 100% in favor of the cloud-flying ban in US contests, but
this technology is advancing faster than the RC will be able to keep
up with. Given that I flew (and occasionally won) in regionals for
several years using homebrew software running on various odd PDA-like
devices, I have reason to be concerned with the direction this
discussion seems to be heading. Deal with cloud-flying harshly as
unsportsmanlike behavior when detected, but don't pretend the problem
can be solved by banning entire categories of equipment...

Marc