[NSRCA-discussion] No telemetry rule & new radio systems

[Peter Vogel]

Hmm.

So I'm looking at section 4.4 of the AMA Competition regulations here:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/2011-2012RCAerobatics1.pdf

I see the following emphasis mine:

Radio control equipment shall be of the open loop type
(i.e. *no electronic feedback from the model to the *
*ground*)

It then goes on to provide examples of what is/is not permitted:

Examples of control functions not permitted:
8) Electronic or other signal or feedback
from the model of *any kind.*

I believe the verbiage needs to be changed to reflect the spirit and intent
of the rule, which is to prevent telemetry data (i.e. heading, airspeed,
etc.) that would provide an advantage in precision to the pilot flying with
said equipment.  Basic telemetry data such as the state of charge for the
reciever and main system batteries (in the case of an electric) model
and/or engine/motor temperature, RPM, etc. provide no such advantage and
should be permitted as it enhances flight safety and provides some
protection for the airframes themselves.

Rex, says that "it goes on to say that the rule is to prevent
pre-programmed control of the aircraft such as timed snaps" but I believe
those are distinct sentences, the RC equipment must be open loop with no
feedback from the model to the ground.  Period, full stop.  Then it goes on
with additional requirements distinct from the RC TX/RX: Autopilots are
prohibited (i.e. devices such as the UAVDev board or Ardupilot or the new
AS3X from Horizon would be prohibited, even though they are not closed-loop
control systems.  Further, automatic control sequencing or control timing
devices (which I have always read as preventing the use of snap button
functions on modern computer transmitters) are prohibited.  I've wondered
how that last one is enforced given virtually every computer radio today
has the ability to assign a snap of any form to any switch or button on the
transmitter and it would be difficult to check that snap functions are
inhibited in every contestent's TX.  I have assumed the honor system
applies.  I would expect the same honor system, with, perhaps, a check of
winning pilot's telemetry systems in high-stakes events would be sufficient
to relax the telemetry rule to allow basic telemetry systems such as the
Hitec, Graupner + Spektrum systems to be permitted.

Peter+

On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 2:35 PM, Richard Lewis <humptybump at sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> The rule likely needs an update to verbage that is consistent with current
> technology, but as long as there is no closed loop on any of the telemetry
> it is well within the "spirit" of the rule to use/allow these systems in
> pattern...
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* Peter Vogel <vogel.peter at gmail.com>
> *To:* "nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> >
> *Sent:* Fri, November 18, 2011 4:20:02 PM
>
> *Subject:* [NSRCA-discussion] No telemetry rule & new radio systems
>
> I was just reading RCM&E (one of my favorite magazines) and noticed that
> the latest systems from Graupner and Hitec have telemetry built-in to all
> RX's, I suspect the others aren't far behind.  With the current rule
> against any form of downlink from the aircraft, it seems the newer systems
> will be out of reach to those competing in pattern aerobatics.  I'm just in
> sportsman, any thought to relaxing the rule to restricting telemetry that
> might actually be an advantage in competition as opposed to things that can
> save an airframe like battery voltage data?
>
> Peter+
>
> Sent from my iPhone4S
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>



-- 
Did you know? Arthritis affects people in all age groups including nearly
300,000 children.
Please help me ride 525 miles down the California coast to support
Arthritis Research
http://2011cccnca.kintera.org/pvogel
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.nsrca.org/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20111119/9ee3412e/attachment.html>