From the above quoted article: "This is an automated computer controlled fly-by-wire system that adjusts Oracle's hydrofoils automatically."


I'm just a little skeptical of the above "Fly by wire" report. Not because it's not possible, certainly it is, but in order to have a system like that, one additional thing you need is a stable reference point (in airplanes we have laser ring gyro's) to define whatever 'stable' attitude you are trying to attain.

Now, if instead of saying 'fully automatic' he meant 'electric/hydrolic' vs. manual, for control of the foil tilt system, that I would believe.

OR...maybe they actually did install some type of gyros into the hulls, and hook them up to the foil tilt system?? That would explain why all of a sudden Oracle was able to start foiling upwind?