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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