RE: IMAC
Dan/Ken Thanks for your reply and valuable input. I hope we can all pool together our resources to find an app “guy” I’ll look into some local colleges solicit professors to see if they could direct their students to put something together. The iPhone is an insanely powerful computer with equally impressive sensors. The phone is 1000 times more capable than what is necessary for this basic application. That is not really a factor worth much discussion. Perk is the phones are available worldwide and at low cost. So money is not a factor in this case. The objective is to accomplish this task via readers and members sharing resources and to stay away from too much theory and detail that may distract from the mission. I think, the question we should ask ourselves is “What can I do, or who do I know that can get this together in a few days?” I can use a eTrex GPS and get decent data but I can’t view it and get value at the field. I can use my iPhone, but the map does not leave a “bread crumb” trail. Things I want to use an iPhone to help determine” Do my maneuvers take place in the appropriate position? That is, do the turn maneuvers (half Cuban and shark tooth) happen at the ends? Do my loops and teardrops happen in the center? Remember, there is no defined “box” yet I need a defined box for my particular style and tempo to improve. Thus a tool is needed. I need to be able to convey accurate data. Air Force and Navy Test pilot school does not make good pilots, the school teaches already good pilots to speak a common language that engineers can use to make changes. Profile view: Correct Left >-Turn Maneuvers-< >-Center Maneuvers< >-Turn Maneuvers< Right Profile view: Incorrect Left >-Turn Man-(overlapping or skewed)-Center Man(overlapping or skewed)-Turn Man< Right Do I fly accurately in wind? That is, does my ground track have accuracy (same line each pass)? Does it have precision (same line each pass over the theoretical perfect distance from the pilots box)? To explain accuracy vs. precision. A paper target has 10 bullet holes all in a 1 inch group is accurate. A 1 inch group in the bulls eye is accurate and precise… My dilemma, How does the half blind old guy that does not fly well standing next to me (a stranger) help me improve? Sure makes sense to look at my iPhone and see a trail of dots over the very field I just flew over in my mind. Hell, I can even call my wife to tell her I am staying late to practice and send her the image to prove it... Brock
Posted on: 5/15/2012 12:26 PM by Author "Brockflying" in the forum "IMAC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11081837

RE: IMAC
Subject IMAC improvements to Judging through telemetry I heard a few contestants chatting, who seem to like the idea and possibility. Maybe a forum discussion will help find a "guy/gal" who can write an iPhone app that the IMAC website can share with the members and conduct a 1 year beta test to work some bugs out. At that point maybe a vote by members could help the board make an informed decision on what a box is and how it can be judged with accuracy and fairness to all model sizes and speeds. We are all aware of GPS, a magnetic compass, accelerometers, and computers. A significant number of people have all four in their pocket as they read this; we know it as an iPhone. It seems like a relatively easy request to openly solicit some "guys and gals" out there who can open source an iPhone app in a few months that will serve as onboard telemetry. Imagine this if you will... A new rule that states something to the effect; a 2.5x4.5" area must be provided in a contestant’s airplane with hook and loop material... Hmmmmmm what do you think one could place in that area? Maybe an iPhone or iTouch with a program called "IMAC telemetry". At this point I hope you mind is swimming in endless possibilities. There is a lot to discuss in theory and start a general direction in which to take this available technology. In short, I would like to see an app "judge" me and assist me in training at my home field. If it is good, it could be used as a back up or supplement judges (maybe replace). I mean this with respect, I don’t always receive consistent advice from the wide ranging opinion and subjectivity of the judges thus far. A iPhone with a Google map and data logging of my flight could tell me more accurately. What do you think?
Posted on: 5/14/2012 5:40 PM by Author "Brockflying" in the forum "IMAC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11079719