Our local ClassB approach control can readily spot our club 2-33 and 1-26,
also our Grob 103 and LS-4, primary radar only. I tend to listen up on the
frequency when I'm up in "airliner altitudes", sometimes that can be as low
as 7-8000ft MSL, I hear them call "traffic, suspected glider altitude
unknown" to the airliners, and sure enough, it's me they are talking about.
Once I even called them to report 4-6 gliders working the "ridge" between
two fixed points at altitudes from 14K and below after watching about 4
airliners circumnavigate the ridge. He appreciated the call.

BT

wrote in message
ups.com...
Today I took a step toward settling a question I've had for a long
time. After making sure the frequency was pretty empty, I went ahead
and made the call:

Me: Pitt Approach, Schweizer glider 34367.
PA: Aircraft calling Pitt, say again call sign.
Me: Pitt Approach, this is Schweizer glider 34367.
PA: pause Glider 34367, go ahead.
Me: Schweizer 34367 is five miles southeast of Washington County at six
thousand one hundred. Just wondering, can you actually see me on your
radar?

It's something I've always wondered about. Our club's airport (Bandel,
22D) has a few of the house thermals just south of the approach course
for the ILS 27 at Washington County (KAFJ). It's not a very busy
airport, but they get a few King Airs and bizjets every day. If a
couple of us came close, could approach even see a primary return from
the glider and give advisories? (Of course they wouldn't have our
altitude, but even so.)

PA: bemused Hang on a second 367, let's have a look.
PA: There you are, 367, looks like, are you more south-southeast of
Washington County?
Me: Pitt approach, 367, yeah, south-southeast is more accurate. Thanks!
pause
PA: Glider 367, are you heading westbound?
Me: 367 is circling at my present position.

Now I was in our club's lowly 2-33, which has that huge aluminum wing.
Has anyone ever tried this in a sailplane that doesn't have any big
metal parts? I'm not so sure they could see a glass ship...

--Tom