I don't recall if this has been posted so I'll put it here. Apologies if this is duplicated.

The AMA Contest Board has just passed an urgent rules change proposal and is now in the rule book. The NSRCA felt it was important, with the strides in radio technology, to make sure there was clarification in the rule 4.4 concerning telemetry. We feel that the existing rule could have some potential negative impact on unsuspecting contestants, specifically at the Nationals. We were concerned about someone using a radio that displayed RX battery voltage or temperatures on the transmitter as well as other non-flight / control surface data that simply cannot be turned off. As the rule stood, those competitors could have been protested through no fault of their own. The rule has been modified to correct this and is already in use and will be in use during the AMA Nationals. A very special thanks to the AMA Contest Board for hearing our request and seeing it through as well as to the NSRCA Board of Directors for getting this addressed as quickly as possible.

Here is the re-written rule 4.4

<div>4.4: Equipment Functions.
Anytelemetry or other types of radio feedback to thepilot or the caller such as airspeed, position, GPScoordinates, motor rpm, etc, are prohibitedduring competition. Telemetry that does not givea competitive advantage to the pilot, such asreceiver battery voltage warnings, radiointerference, radio malfunctions, etc, ispermitted. Telemetry data shall not be used as abasis to request a re-flight. Auto pilot controlutilizing inertia, light, gravity or any other typeof terrestrial reference is prohibited. Automaticcontrol sequencing (preprogramming) orautomatic control timing devices are prohibited.A proven competitive advantage to the pilot willresult in loss of that round.

Examples of control functions permitted:</div><div>1) Control rate or control movementlimit devices that are manually switched by thecontestant.</div><div>2) Any type of button, dial switch, orlever control that is initiated and terminated bythe contestant.</div><div>3) Manually operated switches tocouple control functions.

Examples of control functions not permitted:</div><div>1) Snap buttons with automatic timingmode.</div><div>2) Preprogramming devices toautomatically perform a series of commands.
3) Automatic leveling or stabilization inany axis (gyros, etc.).</div><div>4) Propeller pitch change withautomatic timing mode.</div><div>5) Any type voice recognition system.</div><div>6) Any type of learning functioninvolving maneuver to maneuver or flight toflight analysis.</div>