IGC FLIGHT RECORDER APPROVAL LEVELS

A decision was made on 5 March by the IGC Plenary meeting in Lausanne,
Switzerland, that will affect the Cambridge models 10, 20 & 25, Print
Technik GR1000 series and the Zander 940 types of GPS Flight Recorder.
The annual Plenary meeting is the highest decision-taking body within
the IGC structure. This was the final stage in the process of reviewing
World Record (WR) procedures that was carried out by a working group led
by the IGC Bureau during 2004.

A discussion was held on electronic security systems for flight
recorders that may be used for WR flight evidence. It was decided by a
two thirds majority vote that flight recorders not having public/private
key systems such as RSA or equivalent as part of the system by which
manufacturer's Validation program files are available through the IGC
GNSS web pages, will not be permitted for WR evidence. In accordance
with Annex B of the Sporting Code for Gliding (SC3B), para 1.1.4.2, this
will take effect on 15 March 2006 and over-rides any "Grandfather
Rights" for the recorders concerned.

The manufacturers have already been notified and the period of a year
allows them to consider the possibility of an upgrade for these recorder
models.

Otherwise, the new IGC-approval level for these recorder models will be
at the "all IGC/FAI badge and diplomas" level (SC3B para 1.1.3.3.2) with
effect from 15 March 2006.

Finally, please note that this decision does not affect the use of such
recorders in gliding competitions (SC3B para 1.1.3.3.6 refers).

Bernald S Smith, Chairman IGC ANDS Committee
Ian W Strachan, Chairman IGC GFA Committee

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Ian Strachan
Chairman IGC GFA Committee