I think mechanical adjustments, pipe length, head gaskets, venturi size, prop, fuel and so on, all of those many factors, plus all of the manifold trim adjustments to the airplane itself, are one kind of skill set. Moving to electronic tuning is qualitatively different. It opens the door to the creation of more sophisticated on board controls of the model. I think it accurate to describe these controllers as programmable computers. We are seeing this approach in its infancy. It already is very effective. Looks to me like it will take over and dominate the competition as it develops further. Why couldn't later iterations of this smooth out flight paths, as someone pointed out, allow models to fly at 5', exactly, make a circle a circle, a square an accurate square. Compensate in many ways for poor wiggles of the handle, changing orientations towards a breeze and so on. If this is the case, an excellent pattern flight will be more and more a function of the programmer and the sophistication of the on board electronics, and less and less a function of pilot skill in piloting.
On board computers on full sized aircraft make it possible for inherently non-aerodynamic shapes to fly. I have flown $30 dollar RC helicopters that have all kinds of stability control, allow me to hover and so forth. Fun. For a little while. But this is different from flying control line.
Kim is an enthusiast, a hobbyist. All to the good. He is committed to widening interest in our hobby. Also to the good. It sounds to me like his heart is in the right place. Paul Walker is totally committed to the Control Line Stunt Hobby. A great competitor over many many years. One who obviously can compete on the highest level without the benefit of on board electronic (computer) enhancements. But I think his current approach is antithetical to the spirit of this hobby. My apologies to Kim, Paul, and everyone else. My bluntness is honest. I have spent time thinking about these issues. Ever since the first posts describing these controllers happened. More than a year ago I believe. Come to think of it, Howard Rush described these controllers to me at the 2012 NATS. It raised red flags then.