The recent exchange about the use of telemetry devices was quite
interesting. Every time there is a new advance which may or may not be an
advantage, a cry goes up about a level playing field. Based on my
experiences, over time, the field does level out. With increased usage, the
price of the technology goes down and more people use it thus "leveling" the
field.
Now a word to those who are complaining about the increased cost. Yes,
it's true that in recent years, the price of a "hot ticket" in unlimited
soaring has continued to rise. However, it is now possible to go through
ALL of the levels of the LSF WITHOUT purchasing a computer radio, a molded
sailplane, or the latest technological whiz-bang. How, you ask? The
development of RES as a competitive class has resulted in events large
enough to qualify for even a Level V win. Right now, it looks like RES is a
pretty "level" playing field.
There have been and will always be disputes about a new wrinkle. In the
early days of r/c soaring, some competitions were based on the number of
functions controlled. I can remember a debate about whether driving a
releasable towhook with the elevator servo moved a sailplane from the
2-function class to the 3-function class. What I cannot remember is the
resolution of that debate.
But wait, there is one place where a level playing field should be a
major concern - who'd want those poor guys towing an F3J plane to run
uphill?
Jim Deck
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